Security personnel stop Congress workers and supporters during a protest against the BJP government over issues including rising crime and gas prices as part of the Vidhan Sabha Gherao programme, in Raipur, Chhattisgarh, on March 17, 2026. | Photo Credit: PTI Accusing the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led Central government of weakening the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee...

The Appropriation Bill 2026, which allows the government to withdraw additional sums from the Consolidated Fund of India, was passed by Parliament on Tuesday, with the Rajya Sabha returning it to the lower house after discussion. Replying to the discussion, Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said that she will only address points raised by the...