The Lok Sabha today took up the discussion on the Supplementary Demands for Grants – First Batch for 2024-2025. The government has sought approval from Parliament to authorise gross additional expenditure of over 87 thousand 762 crore rupees. Out of this, the proposals involve net cash outgo aggregating to 44 thousand 142 crore rupees for payments of debts, liabilities, and interest rates.

Initiating the discussion, K C Venugopal of Congress alleged that the wages in key sectors like IT, logistics, retail, FMCG, and banking have not risen significantly over the last few years. He said the employment rate in urban areas was 6.4 percent from July to September this year. Mr Venugopal said inflation is increasing, and the prices of vegetables are also increasing. Dr. Sanjay Jaiswal of the BJP said the government is demanding 25 thousand crore rupees for the farmers under this Supplementary Demands for Grants. He said around four lakh 50 thousand crore rupees are being given as subsidies to the poor and farmers of the country in 2024-25. Mr Jaiswal said three lakh 46 thousand crore rupees have been transferred so far to the account of eligible farmers through PM Kisan Samman Nidhi.

Sougata Ray of TMC alleged that there is an economic crisis, and the growth projection for the last quarter has slipped to 5.4 percent. D M Kathir of DMK said there is no improvement in the employment rate. TDP MP Magunta Sreenivasulu Reddi said the Narendra Modi government has brought several schemes for the welfare of the poor people. Supriya Sule of NCP (SP) said foreign borrowings have substantially gone up in this country. She said the exports have gone down and imports are increasing. Other members, including Jagdambika Pal of the BJP, Dr. Amar Singh of Congress, and Dharmendra Yadav of the SP, also participated in the discussion. However, the discussion remained inconclusive. Later the House was adjourned for the day.