Rajya Sabha Clears Appropriation Bill for ₹54,067 Crore

The Rajya Sabha passed the Appropriation (No. 3) Bill, 2026 on 6 August 2026 and returned it to complete the parliamentary process for a Money Bill. The Bill authorises withdrawal of ₹54,067.44 crore from the Consolidated Fund of India for excess expenditure incurred during the 2022–23 financial year.

Appropriation Bill and Consolidated Fund

An Appropriation Bill authorises the withdrawal of money from the Consolidated Fund of India for expenditure approved by Parliament. The Consolidated Fund of India is the main government account under Article 266 of the Constitution of India, and no money can be withdrawn from it without parliamentary authorisation.

Excess Grant and Parliamentary Procedure

The Bill relates to excess expenditure that was incurred beyond the amount earlier sanctioned by Parliament for 2022–23. The Lok Sabha passed the same Bill on 4 August 2026, and the Rajya Sabha approved it by voice vote on 6 August 2026.

Break-up of the Amount

The total amount of ₹54,067.44 crore includes ₹196.44 crore for compliance with a court order affecting the Ministry of Railways. It also includes ₹53,871 crore for repayment of debt.

Important Facts for Exams

• The Rajya Sabha is the Upper House of Parliament of India.
• A Money Bill deals with taxation, borrowing, expenditure, or appropriation of money under the Constitution of India.
• The Public Accounts Committee examines government expenditure and audit-related matters in Parliament.
• The Consolidated Fund of India is one of the three main funds of the Union Government, along with the Contingency Fund of India and the Public Account of India.

Related Constitutional and Administrative Facts

Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman moved the Bill in the Rajya Sabha on 6 August 2026. The excess grant demands were linked to two accounts mentioned in the Public Accounts Committee’s 39th report, which was presented to the Lok Sabha in April 2026.

Jammu and Kashmir Police Expenditure

The Finance Minister stated that the Central Government fully funds the annual salary and pension expenditure of the Jammu and Kashmir Police, which is about ₹13,000 crore. Opposition members from the Congress and other parties staged a walkout during the Rajya Sabha proceedings on 6 August 2026.