Centre seeks additional expenditure of Rs 56,000 cr

The move may dent exchequer by Rs 18,000 cr

The government on Friday sought Parliament's approval for additional expenditure of Rs 56,000 crore for the remaining part of the current financial year (FY16), a move that could dent the exchequer by Rs 18,000 crore.

While the government sought additional expenditure of Rs 56,256 crore, the net cash outgo would be Rs 18,195 crore. The rest would be met by matching savings on other heads and enhanced recoveries. Items that need large expenditure include Food Corporation of India's procurement programme for the public distribution system (Rs 10,000 crore) and additional sums to the defence ministry for increased pensions (Rs 5,736 crore).