Government seeks nod for extra spend

The government seeks parliamentary nod for additional spend of Rs 1.3 lakh crore, including Rs 58,378 crore in net cash outgo. The food and fertiliser subsidy bill and spending on the rural employment guarantee scheme were higher than budgeted. Savings and receipts of Rs 71,000 crore will limit the cash outgo. Despite the additional spend, the government aims to meet the fiscal deficit target of 5.9% of GDP by containing expenditure and relying on higher tax collections and dividend receipts.