Day 1 of Winter Session: Govt seeks Parliament nod for ₹41,455.39 crore supplementary spending

The central government, in its first batch of supplementary demands for grants for 2025-26, sought the approval of Parliament to authorise the gross additional expenditure of ₹1,32,268.85 crore. Of the gross additional demand, the proposals involving net cash outgo are worth ₹41,455.39 crore. On the first day of the Winter Session, which is scheduled from December 1-19, the first batch of supplementary demands for grants for 2025-26 comprising 72 grants and 1 appropriation was presented.

Of the gross additional expenditure demand, the proposals involving net cash outgo aggregate to ₹41,455.39 crore and gross additional expenditure, matched by savings of the ministries/departments or by enhanced receipts/recoveries, aggregates to ₹90,812.17 crore. "Besides, token provision of ₹1.29 crore is being sought, one lakh for each item of expenditure, for enabling re-appropriation of savings in cases involving new service or new instrument of service," the demand document reads.

The Winter Session of Parliament started today. Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed the media earlier today, emphasising that the session is not merely a ritual, but an important source of renewed energy for the nation’s ongoing journey toward rapid progress. “It is my firm belief that this session will infuse new energy into the efforts that are currently underway to accelerate the nation’s progress,” Modi said.

He noted that as India’s democratic institutions grow stronger, the world is closely observing how this democratic framework is also reinforcing the nation’s economic capabilities. “India has proven that Democracy can deliver,” the Prime Minister affirmed. “The pace at which India’s economic conditions are reaching new heights inspires confidence and gives us new strength as we move toward the goal of a developed India”, he said.

The Prime Minister noted that GST reforms have created a strong atmosphere of trust among citizens, positioning them as next-generation reforms. He said the Winter Session is set to advance several important initiatives in this direction.

Notably, as reported by news agency PTI, the government has listed nine economic bills, including a bill to amend insurance laws and two others to levy tax and cess on sin goods like tobacco and pan masala, for the Winter Session of Parliament.