Punjab assembly passes supplementary demands

Chandigarh, Mar 14 (UNI) The Punjab Vidhan Sabha today passed the supplementary demands, totalling Rs 1274.49 crore for the current financial year ending March 31.

These demands pertaining to various departments were passed by voice vote.

Finance Minister Manpreet Singh Badal speaking after moving the Appropriation Bill in the House said this year budget estimates were of about Rs 30,000 crore while the supplementary demands exceeded this amount. He said the demands included a subsidy of Rs 840 crore to the Punjab State Electricity Board (PSEB), while the remaining amount pertaining to different departments was very negligible.

The demands cover 19 grants and involve gross additional expenditure of 1274.50 crore, which comprises Rs 1195.80 crore on the revenue account and Rs 78.70 crore capital account, he added.

After taking into account the related receipts and recoveries, these demands will involve a net additional outgo of Rs 1157.22 crore from the Consolidated Fund of the state, the Minister said.

The demands were then passed without any discussion and thereafter the House adjourned for the day. The Finance Minister will present the annual Budget on March 17.

UNI HS RL KN1419