The second supplementary budget for 2021-22 was taken up for discussion and voting in Lok Sabha today. It proposes an incremental cash outgo of Rs 2.99 lakh crore, an increase of 8.6% over the budget estimate. The 2021-22 budget passed in February had estimated an expenditure of Rs 34.83 lakh crore for the year.
The supplementary budget includes an allocation of Rs. 22,039 crore towards MGNREGA and Rs. 40,170 crore for decentralised procurement of food grains for additional allocation under Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana.
During the debate, one Member pointed out that the proposed supplementary allocation towards MGNREGA was inadequate despite continued rural distress. Another Member commended the government for allocating over Rs. 49,000 crore for schemes related to food storage and warehousing. He added that the sector was lagging behind and that the investment would help the farmer and rural community. Members also raised their concerns on the ability of the government to adhere to the fiscal deficit target for the year.
The discussion did not conclude before the House adjourned.
In Rajya Sabha, the Central Vigilance Commission (Amendment) Bill, 2021 and the Delhi Special Police Establishment (Amendment) Bill, 2021 were taken up for discussion and then passed.
On Monday, time was allotted for Members to make Zero Hour interventions after the passing of the NDPS (Amendment) Bill, 2021. One Member drew the attention of the House to the limited oversight over online educational companies. He also emphasized on the predatory marketing practices that such companies engage in. The Speaker noted that 113 Zero Hour notices were admitted on Monday.
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4% In its report tabled yesterday on PM-SVANidhi, The Committee of Housing and Urban Affairs observed that the share of private banks in loan applications received was 4%. PM-SVANidhi is a central sector scheme to facilitate street vendors to access affordable working capital loans for resuming their business. A total of 47,16,791 loan applications were received under the scheme, of which private sector banks only received 2,01,802. Further, only one private sector bank had a sanction rate of 81% and a disbursal rate of 74%. All other private sector banks had a sanction and disbursal rate of less than 50%. |