Garhwal Post Bureau
New Delhi, 6 Aug: Rajya Sabha member and Uttarakhand BJP president Mahendra Bhatt, speaking in support of the Appropriation Bill No 3, 2026 in the Upper House, described it not merely as an approval for expenditure but as a significant step to strengthen the vision of a developed India. In his address in the Rajya Sabha, he stressed on its importance in terms of investment in roads, railways, tourism, border area development, Jal Jeevan Mission, digital connectivity and welfare schemes across the country, including Uttarakhand.
Bhatt claimed that the Bill is not just about allocation of funds but a document reflecting the government’s development vision, financial discipline and commitment to public welfare. He noted that under Article 114 of the Constitution, no expenditure can be made from the Consolidated Fund of India without Parliament’s approval, making the Bill a symbol of parliamentary supremacy and democratic accountability. He observed that at a time when the global economy is facing challenges of geopolitical tensions, supply chain disruptions and uncertainty, India has emerged as the fastest growing major economy due to the government’s farsighted policies. The Bill seeks parliamentary sanction for expenditure on nation building, social security, infrastructure, national security, agriculture, education, health and welfare of the poor, and Bhatt stressed that this money belongs to taxpayers and must be utilised with transparency, accountability and results.
Bhatt said that the Modi government has changed the culture of public expenditure, ensuring every rupee is accounted for through digital governance, DBT, PFMS, GEM portal payments and public financial management systems. He highlighted three aspects in particular: financial discipline, where fiscal deficit has been controlled while capital expenditure has steadily increased, resulting in expressways, railway modernisation, expansion of Vande Bharat trains, new airports, strengthened ports and logistics networks; welfare of the poor, where schemes like Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana, Jal Jeevan Mission, Ayushman Bharat, PM Kisan Samman Nidhi, Ujjwala, free ration, Vishwakarma and Swanidhi have transformed lives by directly reaching beneficiaries; and inclusive development, with unprecedented investment in the northeast, border areas, tribal regions and hill states.
Referring specifically to Uttarakhand, Bhatt said the Centre has invested heavily in the all‑weather road project, Rishikesh–Karnaprayag rail line, Char Dham connectivity, ropeway projects, Jal Jeevan Mission, digital connectivity, disaster management, border area development and tourism infrastructure. He emphasised that the funds sought through the Bill are directed towards the country’s development and prosperity and called for its passage to take the vision forward.
