GOVT BUDGET Flashcards
What is a budget?
Budget is an estimate of income and expenditure for a future period of time. Talks about how money is to be raised and spent in the coming year.
Why is the budget important?
Planned economic organisation.
Democratic transparency and accountability.
Reflected in the Indian constitution- Article 265 of the Constitution provides that no tax shall be levied or collected except by authority of law. And as per Article 266 no expenditure can be incurred except with the authorization of the legislature. Government takes the approval of the parliament for the taxes/receipts through the Finance Bill (Article 110) and the approval for the expenditures through the Appropriation Bill (Article 114).
Budget in India. who prepares? Division, dept, ministry? which article? periodincluded
Budget is prepared by the Budget Division, Department of Economic Affairs, Ministry of Finance. The Article 112 specifies that the President shall, in respect of every financial year, cause to be laid before both the houses of the parliament, the Annual Financial Statement (Budget) of estimated receipts and expenditures of the government in respect of every financial year from 1st April to 31st March.
how many sets of figures included in Indian budget?
Every budget gives three sets of figures. For example, the budget (Annual Financial Statement) presented in Feb 2023 for the year 2023- 24 will contain the following figures:
Budget Estimate (BE) for the next FY 2023-24
Budget and Revised Estimate (RE) for the current FY 2022-23
Actual figures for the preceding FY 2021-22
Types of budgets based on time period
1.Full Budget: It contains the government’s estimate for expenditure and receipts for the entire financial year.
2. Interim Budget: During an election year, the ruling government may present an interim budget which is a complete set of accounts, including both expenditure and receipts but only for a part of the year. An Interim Budget gives the complete financial statement, very similar to a full Budget. When the new government will be formed, it shall prepare the full budget. There is no such constitutional obligation to prepare an interim budget, it is just an unwritten convention that political parties have developed.
3. Vote-on-Account: If the budget has not been passed and the government needs money to carry on its normal activities, then to overcome such difficulty, the Constitution has authorized the Lok Sabha to make any grant in advance in respect to the estimated expenditure for a part of the financial year, pending the completion of the voting of the demand for grants and the enactment of the Appropriation bill.
‘Vote on Account’ deals only with the expenditure side of the government’s budget.
(This advance is provided while the detailed demands for grants (which are specific requests for funds by different ministries) are being debated and voted upon in the Lok Sabha. It is also pending the passing of the Appropriation Bill, which legally authorizes the government to withdraw money from the Consolidated Fund of India.)
Types of budgets based on theme
Zero-based Budget
Zero-based budgeting is different from the incremental (conventional) budgeting system in the sense that the former begins with a zero base, i.e., from scratch and are not based on previous trends/data. For example, if we are preparing the budget for any particular department or Ministry then all the expenses are calculated fresh rather than taking the previous year expenditure and just incrementing it by some percentage.
o It ensures that the activities carried out are relevant for the accomplishment of objectives
o Excessive and unnecessary expenditure on various activities is identified and eliminated
Outcome budget
Unlike traditional budgets, which focus on inputs (amount of money allocated) and outputs (immediate results or products of spending), the Outcome Budget emphasizes outcomes (the ultimate impact or changes brought about by the spending). For example, in an education program, while the output might be the number of schools built, the outcome would be the improvement in literacy rates.
Objectives and Targets: Clearly defined objectives and targets that the program or scheme aims to achieve.
Indicators: Specific indicators to measure the performance
Baseline Data which serves as a reference point.
Timelines in which the objectives are expected to be met.
Responsible Agencies
Gender Budget
Gender Budgeting includes gender sensitive formulation of legislation, policies, plans, programs, schemes, resource allocation, implementation, monitoring, audit and impact assessment of programs and schemes.
Gender gaps persist in education, employment, entrepreneurship and public life opportunities and outcomes. Gender budgeting is a way for governments to promote equality through the budget process. Gender budget ensures that gender commitments are translated into budgetary commitments.
Gender budget in India
Gender Budget Statement was first introduced in the Indian Budget in 2005-06. Government publishes a Gender Budget Statement annually along with the Union Budget.
Part A includes schemes with 100% allocation for women (for ex: Beti Bachao Beti Padhao, Ujjawala, Mahila Shakti Kendra, Anganwadi etc.)
Part B with schemes allocating at least 30% of funds for women (for ex: Mid-day meals programme, PM POSHAN etc.)
What are the budget documents presented to the parliament
The budget documents presented to the Parliament comprise of the following :
o Budget Speech
o Annual Financial Statement
o Demands for Grants
o Appropriation Bill
o Finance Bill
o Statements mandated under the FRBM Act:
✓ Macro-Economic Framework Statement
✓ Fiscal Policy Strategy Statement
✓ Medium Term Fiscal Policy Statement
o Expenditure Budget
o Receipts Budget
o Expenditure Profile
o Memorandum Explaining the Provisions in the Finance Bill (xi) Budget at a Glance
o Outcome Budget
BADAF MMF REEMBO
Is the economic survey a part of the budget docs?
Earlier, the Economic Survey also used to be presented to the Parliament along with the budget. Now, it is presented one day or a few days before the presentation of the budget. This report is prepared by the finance ministry and indicates the status of the national economy.
Procedure of the budget
1.The budget is presented in the parliament on the first working day of February at 11.00 am. The General Budget is presented in Lok Sabha by the finance minister and he/she makes a speech introducing the budget and after the speech it is presented in the Rajya Sabha. That’s it.
2.FIRST READING General discussion on the budget happens in both the houses of the parliament. After the general discussion is over, the houses are adjourned for a fixed number of days.
3.DRSCs make detailed reports and present to houses within stipulated time. In Lok Sabha, one by one demand for grants are discussed and voted on. SECOND READING-The time for discussion and voting of Demands for Grants is allocated by the speaker in consultation with the leader of the house. On the last day of the allocated days, the speaker puts all the outstanding demands to the vote of the house. This device is popularly known as “Guillotine”. In RS, only a general discussion, no vote.
4.THIRD READING-Appropriation Bill article 114 approves expenditure of govt. Finance bill article 110 approves taxation proposals. Goes to RS which can only give recommendations which may/may not be accepted by the LS and is thus passed.
Provisional Collection of Taxes Act, 1931
This act provides a legal framework that allows the government to enforce certain tax provisions immediately upon the introduction of the Finance Bill. This is done to avoid disruptions in revenue collection and to ensure that there is no loss of revenue during the period the bill is being debated and passed. But Finance bill must be passed within 75 days for these to be valid.
For UTs without legislatures, budget
Discussed by the LS, taken from the Consolidated fund of India.
Expenditure charged upon Consolidated fund of India
Expenditure which is charged upon the Consolidated Fund of India shall not be submitted to the Vote of the Parliament, but discussion can happen in either House of the Parliament on any of those estimates.
Changing of taxes
1.During the Budget, to change direct taxes, amendment in the particular Act is required through the Finance Act. 2.But in case of indirect taxes like “Central Excise”, “Customs Duty”, a ceiling rate is specified in the particular Act and if the Excise and Customs duty are within that ceiling rate then amendment in the particular Act is not required but if the duty has to be increased beyond the Ceiling rate, then amendment in that particular Act is required through the Finance Act. 3.For amending GST rates, GST Council takes a decision and a gazette notification is issued.
Supplementary Demand for Grants
If the amount authorised to be expended for a particular service for the current financial year is found to be insufficient for the purpose of that year or when a need has arisen during the current financial year for supplementary or additional expenditure upon some ‘new service’ not contemplated in the budget for that year then the President causes to be laid before both the Houses of Parliament another statement showing the estimated amount of that expenditure which is called “Supplementary Demand for Grants”.
Demand for Excess Grants
If any money has been spent on any service during a financial year in excess of the amount granted for the service for that year, the President causes to be presented to Lok Sabha a demand for such excess (which is called “Demand for Excess Grants”). All cases involving such excesses are brought to the notice of Parliament by the CAG through a report on the Appropriation Accounts. The excesses are then examined by the Public Accounts Committee which makes recommendations regarding their regularisation in its report to the House.
Supplementary and excess grants when
The “Supplementary Demands for Grants” are presented to and passed by the House before the end of the financial year while the “Demands for Excess Grants” are made after the expenditure has actually been incurred and after the financial year to which it relates has expired.
Consolidated Fund of India (CFI):
All revenues received by the government by way of taxes whether direct or indirect and other receipts flowing to the government in connection with the conduct of government business like receipts from Railways, Post, transport, government PSUs etc. are credited into the CFI. Similarly, all loans raised by the government by issue of public notifications, treasury bills and loans obtained from foreign governments and international institutions are credited into this fund. All expenditures incurred by the government for the conduct of its business including repayment of internal and external debt and release of loans to States/ Union Territory governments for various purposes are debited against this fund and no amount can be withdrawn from the Fund without the authorization from the Parliament.
Contingency Fund of India
For emergencies, under President’s i.e. executive custody. Can be immediately withdrawn. But for replenishment and accountability, bill placed in the parliament for approval. Current 30k, can be increased.
Public Account of India
All the public money received by the government other than those which are credited to the Consolidated Fund of India are accounted for Public Account. The receipts into the Public Account and disbursements out of it are not subject to vote by the Parliament. Receipts under this account mainly flow from the sale of Savings Certificates, contributions into the General Provident Fund, Public Provident Fund, Security Deposits and Earnest Money Deposits (a kind of security deposits) received by the government. In respect of such deposits, the government is acting as a Banker or Trustee and refunds the money after the completion of the contract/ event.
exact components of revenue expenditure
Wages and Salaries: Payments to employees for their services.
Pensions and Retirement Benefits: Payments to retired employees.
Interest Payments: Payments on government debt.
Subsidies: Financial support to individuals, businesses, or sectors.
Maintenance and Repairs: Costs for upkeep of infrastructure and equipment.
Utility Expenses: Payments for essential services like electricity and water.
Administrative Expenses: Costs for general government operations.
Grants: Transfers of money for specific purposes.
Rent: Payments for use of buildings or land.
Public Safety and Security: Expenditures for law enforcement and safety services.
exact components of capital expenditure
Loan Disbursals by the Government
* Loan Repayments by the Government. (Hence statement 4 is incorrect)
* Plan Expenditure of the Government.
* Capital Expenditures on Defence by the Government.
interest rates during expansion and contraction
Expansion: Lower interest rates to stimulate economic activity, encourage borrowing, and support growth.
Contraction: Higher or stable interest rates to control inflation, stabilize financial markets, and manage economic slowdowns.
where did economic planning first emerge?
USSR
Which are known as
the ‘Twin Deficits’?
Fiscal Deficit and Current Account
Deficit.
Interconnection: The ‘Twin Deficits’ are often seen together because they can reinforce each other. For example:
Fiscal Deficit: High government borrowing to finance the fiscal deficit can lead to higher interest rates and increased demand for imports (if not managed well).
Current Account Deficit: If a country imports more than it exports, it needs to finance the difference by borrowing from foreign sources, which can increase the fiscal deficit.