Government tables supplementary demands in Lok Sabha

The government on Monday sought parliament's nod for additional spending of Rs 1.03 lakh crore, though the cash outgo will only be Rs 20,948.26 crore.

"Approval of parliament is sought to authorise gross additional expenditure of Rs 1,03,013.74 crore. Of this, the proposals involving net cash outgo aggregate to Rs 20,948.26 crore and gross additional expenditure," a finance ministry document tabled in Lok Sabha said.

Presenting the Supplementary Demands for Grants for 2016-17 in the Lok Sabha, Finance Minister Arun Jaitley sought parliament's approval for transfer of Rs 5,000 crore towards National Employment Guarantee Fund and Rs 1,000 crore for providing funds to Indian Strategic Petroleum Reserves for Sovereign Strategic Crude Oil Reserve at Vizag, Mangalore and Pudur.

The Demands for Grants also include Rs 40,000 crore as Ways and Means Advance to Food Corporation of India (FCI) to meet the working capital requirements towards procurement of food grain for targeted public distribution system.

The government has also sought Rs 5,000 crore towards Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MNGREGA).

The Demands for Grants include 51 grants and one appropriation.

Jaitley sought approval for additional assistance of Rs 2,000 crore to states affected by natural calamities like hailstorm and unseasonal rain under National Disaster Response Fund (NDRF).

Among other sectors, the government is seeking Parliament's approval for providing Rs 31,957 crore to the Ministry of Raod Transport and Highways under various heads.

--IANS

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