Govt seeks extra spend of over Rs 51,000 crore in FY25; Rs 7,000crore for Unified Pension Scheme. In gross terms, the Centre has sought Rs 6.79 lakh crore in additional spend for FY25 through the second batch of supplementary demands. For defence-related pensions, the government has earmarked Rs 8,476 crore, including an expenditure of Rs 6,097.5 for the army. The central government has also sought approval to spend Rs 5,320 crore to upgrade telecom networks in underserved areas, and pay dues to employees of Bharat Sanchar Nigam Ltd and Mahanagar Telephone Nigam L.L.C. The UPS, brought in as an alternative to the National Pension System, will be rolled out from April 1, 2025. This scheme offers a pension of 50-percent of the last drawn pay for those government employees that are retiring after 25 years in service. The government also wants to waive government’s dues to Hindustan Organic Chemicals Ltd (HOCL)