New Delhi, Dec 16 (PTI) Parliament on Tuesday approved the first batch of Supplementary Demands for Grants, authorising the government for Rs 41,455 crore additional spending in the current fiscal, including over Rs 18,000 crore expenditure towards fertiliser subsidy.

The Rajya Sabha returned the supplementary demand for grants with a voice vote to the Lok Sabha, which had passed it on Monday.

Replying to a brief debate in the Upper House, Minister of State for Finance Pankaj Chaudhary said the central government is focused on fiscal consolidation.

Over concerns raised by a few members regarding the shortage of urea, he noted that there is no such situation in the country.

The first batch is for a gross additional expenditure of Rs 1.32 lakh crore. This includes proposals with a net cash outgo of Rs 41,455.39 crore and Rs 90,812 crore savings by the ministries/departments.

As per the Supplementary, approval of Parliament was sought for spending Rs 18,525 crore on fertiliser and related subsidies, and about Rs 9,500 crore by the Petroleum Ministry to compensate oil marketing companies for under-recoveries.

An additional Rs 1,304 crore has been earmarked for additional expenditure by the Department of Higher Education, and Rs 225 crore by the Commerce Ministry. PTI MSS NKD MSS BAL BAL

Supplementary grants authorise Rs 41,455 crore additional spending in FY26, including major fertiliser and petroleum subsidies. Parliament authorised the first batch of Supplementary Demands for Grants for FY26, totalling a gross Rs 1.32 lakh crore and a net cash outgo of Rs 41,455.39 crore after Rs 90,812 crore saved by ministries. The package specifically approves Rs 18,525 crore for fertiliser subsidies and about Rs 9,500 crore to offset petroleum under recoveries, with additional allocations for higher education and commerce; the Rajya Sabha returned the demand to the Lok Sabha after debate emphasising fiscal consolidation.