New Delhi, April 1 -- The Union government spent Rs.54,067.45 crore more than what was approved by Parliament in 2022-23, mainly due to higher debt repayments.

Of this amount, about Rs.53,871 crore or more than 99% came from excess spending on debt repayment, while the railways accounted for the remaining Rs.196.45 crore under capital expenditure, according to a report tabled by the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) in Lok Sabha on Wednesday.

The excess spending was reported under the Department of Economic Affairs in the finance ministry and the ministry of railways, and will now require Parliament's approval for the regularization of the spending.

The government presents the revised estimates for a given year when it presents the budge...