E-Book - Public Finance

CHAPTER
Public Finance
Unit 1: Fiscal Functions: An Overview, Centre and State Finance
Unit 2: Market Failure/Government Intervention to Correct Market Failure
Unit 3: T
he Process Of Budget-Making : Source of Revenue, Expenditure
Management and Management of Public Debt
Unit 4: Fiscal Policy
UNIT
1
Fiscal Functions: An Overview,
Centre and State Finance
Fiscal function: An
Overview, Centre
and State Finance
Allocation Redistribution Stabilization

Function Function Function
INTRODUCTION
1. Governments of all nations have important economic functions even in market-based
economies, and their role has grown in size and scope in recent decades.
2. The primary goal of the state is to promote the general welfare of society, and government
actions significantly impact economic performance and citizens’ quality of life.
3. Governments engage in various operations, including raising funds, incurring expenditures,
consuming goods and services, borrowing money, employing people, and establishing key
institutions like property rights.
4. Governments also create and enforce rules and regulations, and formulate policies that
affect many aspects of people’s lives.
5. While governments impose rules and regulations, some areas remain unregulated, and
most goods and services are provided by private producers. However, certain goods and
services are considered appropriate for exclusive government provision due to various
reasons.
THE ROLE OF GOVERNMENT IN AN ECONOMIC SYSTEM

INTRODUCTION
Economic systems address the problem of scarcity due to unlimited wants and limited
resources.
An economic system allocates resources, answers what, how, and for whom to produce,
and supports growth of productive capacity.
Three main economic systems: market, government, and mixed system (capitalism,
socialism, mixed economy).
ADAM SMITH’S PERSPECTIVE

Adam Smith advocated for free markets and minimal government intervention.
Acknowledged government’s roles in:
(a) National defense against external threats.
(b) Establishing a system of justice for internal law and order and property protection.
(c) Developing and maintaining public institutions and works that profit-seeking
individuals may not efficiently provide.
GOVERNMENT’S EVOLVING ROLE

Since the 1930s, government’s role in the economy has increased, especially after the
Great Depression.
Traditional government functions expanded to include economic functions or fiscal
functions.
Different countries vary in the nature and extent of government intervention, but all
agree on the government’s significant role in the economy.
RICHARD MUSGRAVE’S THREE-BRANCH TAXONOMY

Musgrave’s taxonomy separates government functions into three branches:
(a) Resource allocation (efficiency).
(b) Income redistribution (fairness).
(c) Macroeconomic stabilization (price stability).
FUNCTIONS IN DETAIL
Allocation function aims to correct economic inefficiencies.
Distribution function ensures fair distribution of wealth and income.
Stabilization function addresses macroeconomic stability, economic growth, high
employment, and price stability.
GOVERNMENT’S ECONOMIC POLICY

The national budget reflects the government’s economic policy.
Government exercises its economic functions partly through the budget.
Conclusion
The government’s role in an economic system encompasses resource allocation, income
redistribution, and macroeconomic stabilization.
Government’s involvement in the economy has evolved over time and plays a crucial
role in modern economies.
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THE ALLOCATION FUNCTION IN RESOURCE ECONOMICS
INTRODUCTION
Resource allocation is the distribution of limited resources among various uses.
This function determines what goods and services are produced in an economy.
The challenge lies in addressing unlimited wants with finite resources.
ECONOMIC EFFICIENCY
Economic efficiency seeks to use resources optimally, minimizing waste and inefficiency.
It ensures that resources are allocated to benefit each person as much as possible.
Private sector allocation relies on market supply, demand, prices, consumer sovereignty,
and profit motives.
The government also plays a significant role in resource allocation through its budgeting
activities.
MARKET FAILURES
Market economies experience several malfunctions:
Private goods are adequately provided by the market.
Public goods and merit goods often lack sufficient production in the market.
Missing markets or nonexistence of markets is common.
Markets fail in providing efficient allocation due to:
Imperfect competition and monopoly power leading to under-production and higher
prices.
Inability to provide public goods consumed by all.
Incomplete markets, leading to inadequate production of merit goods.
Overuse of common property resources.
Externalities affecting third parties (e.g., pollution).
Factor immobility causing unemployment and inefficiency.
Imperfect information.
Income and wealth inequalities.
GOVERNMENT INTERVENTION
Public finance aims to achieve the optimal allocation of limited resources.
Government intervention becomes necessary when market failures occur.
Government intervention doesn’t replace markets but complements them.
EXAMPLES OF GOVERNMENT INTERVENTION

Government establishes property rights and enforces contracts through law enforcement
and courts.
Corrective measures are taken when externalities affect production and consumption.
Government provides merit goods beneficial to society.
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Demerit goods are controlled through policies.
Government acts as a complement to the market system.
RESOURCE ALLOCATION IN GOVERNMENT POLICY

Government’s budgeting determines:
Who and what will be taxed.
How government revenue will be spent.
Division of resources among various uses.
Optimum mix of social goods (public and merit goods).
Level of public sector involvement in the economy.
Reallocation of resources from private to public use.
INSTRUMENTS OF ALLOCATION
Governments use various instruments to influence resource allocation:
Direct production of economic goods (e.g., electricity, public transportation).
Altering market prices through taxes and subsidies.
Influence through incentives and disincentives.
Legislation, bans, competition, and merger policies.
Regulatory activities (licensing, minimum wages).
Legal and administrative frameworks.
A combination of remedies.
Conclusion
The allocation function in resource economics is critical for optimizing resource use.
Governments play a key role in correcting market failures and ensuring efficient resource
allocation.
A combination of instruments and policies is used to achieve allocative efficiency and
enhance social welfare.
THE REDISTRIBUTION FUNCTION IN GOVERNMENT ECONOMICS

INTRODUCTION
Economic growth has expanded wealth and output, but benefits are not evenly distributed.
Socialist ideology emphasizes government’s redistributive role.
Government intervenes to ensure a more socially optimal and egalitarian distribution of
income and wealth.
DISTRIBUTION FUNCTION OF THE GOVERNMENT

Addresses the question of ‘for whom’ goods and services should be produced.
Redistribution occurs through the expenditure and revenue sides of the budget.
Expenditure side: Provides free or subsidized education, healthcare, housing, food, and
basic goods to deserving individuals.
Revenue side: Achieves redistribution through progressive taxation.
EFFECT ON EFFECTIVE DEMAND
Household income determines effective demand, which, in turn, influences the distribution
of real output among individuals.
The distribution function divides effective demand for economic goods among society’s
individual and family units.
AIMS OF THE DISTRIBUTION FUNCTION

Redistribute income for an equitable distribution of societal output among households.
Enhance overall social welfare.
Improve the well-being of individuals facing different types of deprivations.
Promote equality in income, wealth, and opportunities.
Provide security for those in hardship, ensuring a minimum standard of living.
EXAMPLES OF REDISTRIBUTION FUNCTION

Progressive taxation with subsidies for low-income households.
Financing public services that benefit low-income households.
Employment reservations and preferences, minimum wages, and support prices for
farmers.
Unemployment benefits and transfer payments for underprivileged, dependent, physically
handicapped, older citizens, and the unemployed.
Monetary aid and aid in kind for families below the poverty line.
Regulation of certain product manufacturing and sales for consumer health and well-
being.
Special schemes for backward regions and vulnerable population segments.
TRADE-OFF BETWEEN EFFICIENCY AND EQUITY

Conflict may arise between efficiency and equity in redistribution policies.
High tax rates on the rich can achieve greater equity but might discourage entrepreneurship,
work, savings, investments, and risk-taking.
This can negatively impact economic output, productivity, and growth.
Balancing equity and efficiency objectives is crucial to minimize efficiency costs and ensure
optimal budgetary policy.
Redistribution measures should carefully reconcile equity and efficiency goals to avoid
adverse consequences for the economy.
THE STABILIZATION FUNCTION IN GOVERNMENT ECONOMICS

INTRODUCTION
Macroeconomic stability involves matching an economy’s output with its production
capacity, aligning total spending with total output, achieving full employment, and
maintaining low and stable inflation.
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The government’s stabilization function is based on Keynesian principles, which argue
that a market economy doesn’t automatically achieve full employment and price stability,
necessitating government intervention.
Market economies exhibit inherent tendencies for business cycles, and government policies
are essential for promoting full employment and price stability.
CHALLENGES IN MACROECONOMIC STABILITY

Market mechanisms may not prevent or resolve economic disruptions caused by
fluctuations in economic activity.
In the absence of government intervention, economic instabilities such as recessions and
inflation can persist, leading to hardships, particularly for the poorer sections of society.
Stagflation (simultaneous inflation and unemployment) can further complicate the issue.
The “contagion effect” from international interdependence and financial integration can
transmit instability across countries.
KEY AREAS OF CONCERN IN STABILIZATION

Labor employment and capital utilization.
Overall output and income.
General price levels.
Balance of international payments.
The rate of economic growth.
ROLE OF FISCAL AND MONETARY POLICY

Fiscal policy aims to eliminate macroeconomic fluctuations through expenditure and
taxation decisions.
Government expenditure injects money into the economy, stimulating demand.
Taxes reduce disposable income and, consequently, effective demand.
To combat recession, the government increases expenditure or reduces taxes, maintaining
or boosting aggregate demand.
To control inflation, the government cuts expenditure or raises taxes, adopting an
expansionary or contractionary fiscal policy.
BUDGET SURPLUSES AND DEFICITS

Budget surplus stimulates economic activity.
Budget deficit can slow down economic activity.
CONFLICTS IN POLICY GOALS

Conflicts often arise among the various goals and functions of budgetary policy.
Effective policy design must balance multiple government objectives without jeopardizing
one for the sake of another.

Conclusion
The stabilization function of government economics plays a crucial role in ensuring
macroeconomic stability.
It addresses labor and capital utilization, output and income, price levels, international
balance, and economic growth.
Effective policy design is challenging, as governments must strike a balance between
competing goals to promote economic stability and welfare.
TRY YOUR UNDERSTANDING 7.1.1

1. Macroeconomic stabilization may be achieved through
(a) Free market economy (c) Fiscal policy
(b) Monetary policy (d) (b) and (c) above
2. Which of the following policies of the government fulfils the redistribution function
(a) Parking the army on the northern borders of the country
(b) Supply of medicines at subsidized prices to the poor people
(c) Controlling the supply of money through monetary policy
(d) None of the above
3. The justification for government intervention is best described by
(a) The need to prevent recession and inflation in the economy
(b) The need to modify the outcomes of private market actions
(c) The need to bring in justice in distribution of income and wealth
(d) All the above
4. When the government decides to produce fertilizers and supply them to the agriculturists,
it aims
(a) To achieve equity and fairness to the agriculturists
(b) To influence the way resources are allocated in the economy
(c) To ensure higher profits to agriculturists
(d) To make greater profits for the public sector
5. The allocation and distribution functions are primarily:
(a) Micro-economic functions
(b) Macro-economic functions
(c) Both micro as well as macro-economic functions
(d) Aimed at bringing in price stability and economic growth
Answer Key
1. (a) 2. (b) 3. (d) 4. (b) 5. (a)
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CENTRE AND STATE FINANCE IN INDIA
FISCAL FEDERALISM
Fiscal federalism, introduced by Richard Musgrave, deals with the division of governmental
functions and financial relations among different levels of government.Musgrave’s concept
suggests that central governments should focus on economic stabilization and income
redistribution, while allocation of resources should be the responsibility of state and local
governments.
INDIA’S FEDERAL STRUCTURE

India is a federal nation comprising 28 states and 8 union territories.
Federalism accommodates two levels of government: national and regional, each
autonomous in its sphere.
An independent judiciary resolves disputes between the central government and states
regarding the division of power.
CONSTITUTIONAL DIVISION OF POWERS

India’s Constitution divides powers between the central and state governments.
Article 246 classifies powers into three lists: the Union List, State List, and Concurrent
List.
The Union List is for exclusive central legislation, the State List is for exclusive state
legislation, and the Concurrent List allows both central and state legislatures to make
laws.
In case of conflicting legislation in the Concurrent List, the central law prevails.
REVENUE AND EXPENDITURE ALLOCATION

Allocation of revenue and expenditure responsibilities is crucial in a federation.
Revenue sources and responsibilities between the center and states are clearly demarcated.
Both the center and states can levy taxes, but the central government has broader
revenue-raising powers.
CENTRAL GOVERNMENT TAXES

The central government can levy taxes including income tax (excluding agricultural
income), customs and export duties, excise duties on specific goods, corporation tax, and
more.
STATE GOVERNMENT TAXES

State governments can levy taxes on agricultural income, lands, buildings, mineral rights,
electricity, vehicles, tolls, professions, and collect land revenue.
The property of the central government is exempt from state taxation, and the property
and income of states are not subject to central taxation.

INTER-GOVERNMENTAL TRANSFERS
Fiscal federalism involves inter-governmental transfers and revenue-sharing to achieve
national objectives.
States often rely on the central government for necessary revenues due to limited income
sources.
The Constitution (Articles 268 to 281) includes provisions for the distribution of finances
among states.
Distribution of revenue between the union and states is based on the constitutional
provisions follows:
Article 268 Duties levied by the union but collected and appropriated by the states.
Article 269 Taxes levied and collected by the union but assigned to the states.
Article 270 Taxes levied and collected by the union and distributed between the union
and states as prescribed in clause 2and the States.
Article271 Surcharge on certain duties and taxes for purposes of the union.
Article275 Statutory Grants-in-aid from the union to certain states.
Article 282 Grants for any public purpose.
Article 293 Loans for any public purpose.
CENTRE AND STATE FINANCE AND

FISCAL FEDERALISM IN INDIA
FISCAL FEDERALISM AND THE FINANCE COMMISSION
Fiscal federalism involves the division of functions and financial relations between different
levels of government.
Article 280 of the Indian Constitution establishes the Finance Commission, responsible
for assessing the finances of the union and states, recommending tax sharing, and defining
principles for tax distribution among states.
The Finance Commission supports fiscal federalism through several functions, including
tax sharing, grants-in-aid, and resource allocation.
TAX DISTRIBUTION
The Finance Commission evaluates vertical equity (share of all states in central revenue)
and horizontal equity (allocation of central revenue among states).
The Commission assesses the gross tax revenues of the union, deducting cesses, surcharges,
and non-tax revenue to determine the net divisible pool (NDP).
A constitutional amendment in 2000 expanded the divisible pool to include all central
taxes.
The Commission decides what percentage of the NDP is assigned to state governments,
while the balance remains with the central government.
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THE FIFTEENTH FINANCE COMMISSION
The Fifteenth Finance Commission, formed in November 2017, recommended that states
receive 41% of central taxes for 2021-26, the same as for 2020-21.
An additional 1% adjustment was made for newly formed union territories, Jammu and
Kashmir, and Ladakh.
Distribution criteria for central taxes remain consistent for 2020-21 and 2021-26,
considering income distance, area, population, demographic performance, forest and
ecology, tax and fiscal efforts.
INTRODUCTION OF GST
The Goods and Services Tax (GST), introduced on July 1, 2017, significantly impacted
financial relations between the center and states.
GST consolidated various indirect taxes into a unitary indirect tax regime.
States levy and collect state GST (SGST), while the union levies and collects central GST
(CGST), both at equal rates.
An integrated GST (IGST) applies to inter-state transactions, imports, and exports,
collected and distributed by the central government.
GST contributes a substantial portion of gross tax revenue for the union and own tax
revenue for states.
A Supreme Court verdict in May 2022 confirmed that Union and state legislatures have
equal powers to make laws on GST, and GST Council recommendations are not binding
on them.
GST COMPENSATION
To compensate states for revenue losses due to GST implementation, a cess was imposed
on luxury and demerit goods, with proceeds credited to a compensation fund.
GST compensation was extended beyond the initial five-year period to support states
during economic slowdowns.
During the transition period, top compensation-receiving states included Maharashtra,
Karnataka, Gujarat, Tamil Nadu, and Punjab.
In 2022-23, the total compensation released to states and union territories amounted
to `1,15,662 crore.
EXPENDITURE DECENTRALIZATION
Responsibilities for expenditure decentralization are divided among central, state, and
local governments.
The central government handles national areas like defense, foreign affairs, trade, finance,
transportation, and communication.
State governments manage agriculture, industry, social services (health, education), police
protection, state infrastructure, and local roads.
Local self-governments (municipalities and panchayats) provide public utilities like water
supply, sanitation, local roads, and electricity.
For items on the concurrent list, both central and state governments share responsibility.

BORROWING AND ARTICLE 292/293
Borrowing by the central government and state governments is defined under Articles
292 and 293 of the Indian Constitution.
The central government may borrow within limits set by Parliament and give guarantees
upon the security of the Consolidated Fund of India.
State governments may borrow within limits set by state legislatures and provide
guarantees, while obtaining the center’s consent if indebted to the center for a previous
loan.

1. Redistribution policies are likely to have efficiency costs because
(a) They will reduce the efficiency of governments
(b) They may create disincentives to work and save
(c) Governments have to forego taxes
(d) They are likely to make the poor people dependent on the rich
2. Macroeconomic stabilization may be achieved through
(a) Free market economy (b) Fiscal policy
(c) Monetary policy (d) (b) and (c) above
3. Which of the following policies of the government fulfils the redistribution function
(a) Parking the army on the northern borders of the country
(b) Supply of food grains at subsidized prices to the poor people
(c) Controlling the supply of money through monetary policy
(d) All of the above
4. Choose the correct statement
(a) Fiscal policy involves the use of changes in taxation and government spending; while
monetary policy involves the use of price and profit controls.
(b) Fiscal policy involves the use of price and profit controls; while monetary policy
involves the use of taxation and government spending.
(c) Fiscal policy involves the use of changes in taxation and government spending; while
monetary policy involves the use of changes in the supply of money and interest rates.
(d) Fiscal policy involves the use of changes in the supply of money and interest rates;
while monetary policy involves the use of changes in taxation and government spending.
5. The justification for government intervention is best described by
(a) The need to prevent recession and inflation in the economy
(b) The need to modify the outcomes of private market actions
(c) The need to bring in justice in distribution of income and wealth
(d) All the above
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6. Read the following statements:
1. The market-generated allocation of resources is usually imperfect and leads to
inefficient allocation of resources in the economy
2. Market failures can at all times be corrected through government intervention
3. Public goods will not be produced in sufficient quantities in a market economy of the
three statements above:
(a) 1,2 and 3 are correct (b) 1 and 3 are correct
(c) 2 and 3 are correct (d) 3 alone is correct
7. When a government offers unemployment benefits and also resorts to progressive taxation
which function does it seem to fulfill?
(a) It is trying to establish stability in an economy
(b) It is trying to redistribute income and wealth
(c) It is trying to allocate resources to their most efficient use
(d) It is creating a source of market failure
8. Government of Emeline Land decides to provide most modern road infrastructure
throughout the nation. This can be classified as
(a) Distribution function (b) Allocation function
(c) Stabilization function (d) None of the above
9. Which function does the government perform when it provides transfer payments to
offer support to the underprivileged
(a) Allocation (b) Efficiency (c) Distribution (d) None of the above
10. Which of the following is true in respect of centre and state government finances?
(a) The centre can tax agricultural income and mineral rights
(b) Finance commission recommends distribution of taxes between the centre and states
(c) GST subsumes majority of direct taxes and a few indirect taxes
(d) IGST is collected by the state governments
11. GST compensation is given to
(a) To the industries which have made losses due to the introduction of GST
(b) To compensate for the lower rates of GST on essential items
(c) To the states to compensate for the loss of revenue due to the introduction of GST
(d) To compensate for the loss of input tax credit in manufacturing
12. Which of the following is true in respect of the role of Finance Commissions in India?
I. The distribution between the union and the states of the net proceeds of taxes
II. Allocation between the states of the respective shares of such proceeds.
Ill. Make Recommendations on integrated GST on inter-state movement of goods and
services
IV. To recommend expenditure decentralization among different states
(a) I and II are correct (b) II and Ill are correct
(c) I, II and Ill are correct (d) All the above are correct

13. In a federal set up, the stabilization function can be effectively performed by
(a) Respective state governments (b) Ministry of taxes
(c) The government at the centre (d) None of the above
14. Which of the following is concerned with division of economic responsibilities between the
central and state Government of India?
(a) NITI Aayog (b) central bank
(c) Finance Commission (d) Parliament
15. Fiscal Federalism refers to __________.
(a) Organizing and implementing development plans
(b) Sharing of political power between centers and states
(c) The management of fiscal policy by a nation
(d) Division of economic functions and resources among different layers of the government
16. Which one of the following taxes is levied by the state government only?
(a) Corporation tax (b) Wealth tax
(c) Income tax (d) None of the above
17. The percentage of share of states in central taxes for the period 2021-26 recommended
by the Fifteenth Finance Commission is
(a) 38 percent (b) 41 percent
(c) 42 percent (d) The commission has not submitted its report
18. Which of the following is not a criterion for determining distribution of central taxes
among states for 2021-26 period
(a) Demographic performance (b) Forest and ecology
(c) Infrastructure performance (d) Tax and fiscal efforts
19. As per the supreme court verdict in May 2022
(a) The union has greater powers than the states for enacting GST laws
(b) The union and state legislatures have "equal, simultaneous powers "to make laws on
Goods and Services Tax
(c) The union legislature's enactments will prevail in case of a conflict between those of
union and states
(d) The state legislatures can make rules only with the permission of central government
20. Providing social sector services such as health and education is
(a) The responsibility of the central government
(b) The responsibility of the respective state governments
(c) The responsibility of local administrative bodies
Answer Key
1. (b) 2. (d) 3. (b) 4. (c) 5. (d) 6. (b) 7. (b) 8. (b) 9. (c) 10. (b)
11. (c) 12. (a) 13. (c) 14. (c) 15. (d) 16. (d) 17. (b) 18. (c) 19. (b) 20. (b)

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UNIT
Market Failure/Government
2
Intervention to Correct
Market Failure
INTRODUCTION
Market Definition: A space where buyers and sellers engage in transactions for goods and
services.
Economic Assumption: Economists presume individuals act in their own self-interest,
making rational choices for personal benefit.
Rational Behavior: Individuals choose things that provide the greatest personal benefit
and avoid those not valuable.
Market Efficiency Belief: The belief that a perfectly working market system, driven by
rational individuals, efficiently allocates scarce economic resources.
Market Signals: In a well-functioning market, prices act as accurate signals to producers
and consumers.
Allocation of Resources: The expectation is that the right quantity of goods and services
will be produced and supplied at the right price.
Market Failure: Circumstances where the market fails to allocate resources efficiently,
leading to inefficient outcomes.
THE CONCEPT OF MARKET FAILURE

Definition: Inefficient allocation of resources in an economy is termed as market failure.
Misallocation in Free Market: Market failure does not imply the market is non-functional
but indicates it does not function optimally.
Types of Market Failure:
1. Complete Market Failure:
¾ Definition: "Missing markets" where the market fails to supply products despite
demand.
¾ Example: Pure public goods like national defense.
2. Partial Market Failure:
¾ Definition: Market functions but produces the wrong quantity or at the wrong
price, leading to economic welfare loss.
WHY DO MARKETS FAIL?
FOUR MAJOR REASONS FOR MARKET FAILURE
1. Market Power:
Definition: Ability of a firm to profitably raise the market price above its marginal
cost.
2. Externalities:
Definition: Indirect effects on others due to production or consumption activities.
3. Public Goods:
Definition: Goods consumed collectively, non-excludable and non-rivalrous.
4. Incomplete Information:
Definition: Lack of complete information in markets due to complexity, misinformation,
or difficulty in obtaining accurate information.
MARKET POWER
Definition: Market power or monopoly power is the ability of a firm to profitably raise
the market price of a good or service over its marginal cost.
Price Makers: Firms with market power act as price makers, allowing them to set prices
that yield positive economic profits.
Effects of Excessive Market Power: Excessive market power leads to a single producer or
a small number of producers restricting output compared to competitive markets.
Price Distortion: Market power enables charging prices higher than those under perfect
competition, resulting in economic inefficiency.
Profit Source: Profits derived from market power and dominance, not from operating
efficiency.
Outcome of Market Power: Market fails to produce the right quantity of goods and
services at the right price due to the distortion caused by excessive market power.

1. 'Market failure' occurs
(a) When public goods are not sufficiently provided by public sector
(b) The market fails to allocate resources efficiently and therefore market outcomes
become inefficient
(c) People are not willing to pay and want to free ride
(d) (a) and (b) above
2. Markets fail because
(a) Externalities are not accounted for in pricing and quantity decisions of firms
(b) Most often the prerequisites of competition are unlikely to be present in an economy
(c) Prices fail to reflect the true costs and benefits to the society.
(d) All the above
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3. Market power
(a) Makes price equal marginal cost and produce a positive external benefit on others
(b) Can cause markets to be inefficient because it keeps price and output away from
equilibrium of supply and demand
(c) Makes the firms price makers and restrict output so as to make allocation inefficient
(d) (b) and (c) above
Answer Key
1. (b) 2. (d) 3. (d)
EXTERNALITIES
Definition: Externalities refer to the indirect effects of an individual's actions on others,
either positively or negatively.
Nature of Externalities: Actions of one individual may have marginal effects on others,
influencing consumption or production activities.
Example: If individuals switch from consuming ordinary vegetables to organic ones, it
may increase the price of organic vegetables, affecting the welfare of existing consumers
of organic vegetables.
Operation Through Price Mechanism: Externalities operate through the price mechanism,
causing changes in prices. However, when these effects are not directly reflected in market
prices, they result in externalities.
Types of Externalities: Externalities can be positive or negative.
Negative Externalities: Imposing costs on another party.
Positive Externalities: Conferring benefits on another party.
PRODUCTION EXTERNALITIES
Negative Production Externality:
Definition: Imposes external costs on others, affecting consumption or production.
Example:
¾ Factory discharging untreated wastewater into a river, causing health hazards for
those using the water for drinking and bathing.
¾ Pollution affecting fish output, reducing catch for fishermen.
Incentive Issue: Firms have no incentive to account for external costs when making
production decisions, leading to uninternalized costs not reflected in product prices.
Positive Production Externality: Definition: Confers external benefits on others, affecting
consumption or production.
Examples:
Firms offering employee training, benefiting other firms when they hire skilled workers.
Individual creating an attractive garden, benefiting passersby.

Consideration in Decision Making: External effects are often not considered when making
production decisions, leading to uninternalized benefits not factored into production
choices.
CONSUMPTION EXTERNALITIES
Definition: Consumption externalities are indirect effects of an individual's consumption
actions on others, either imposing costs or conferring benefits.
NEGATIVE CONSUMPTION EXTERNALITIES

Initiated in Consumption: Definition: Produce external costs on others, affecting either
consumption or production.
Examples:
Smoking in public places causing passive smoking and litter.
Loud radio playing obstructing others from enjoying a concert.
Effects on Consumption and Production:
Undisciplined students disrupting a class, affecting teachers' ability to instruct.
Excessive alcohol consumption causing efficiency impairment in work and production.
POSITIVE CONSUMPTION EXTERNALITIES

Initiated in Consumption:
Definition: Confer external benefits on others, affecting either consumption or
production.
Examples:
¾ Immunization against contagious diseases preventing infection for others.
¾ Employees of a firm consuming health club services, resulting in increased efficiency
and productivity for the firm.
Actor Ignorance: When externalities occur, the actors in a transaction tend to ignore
external costs or benefits experienced by people outside the transaction.
IMPACT OF EXTERNALITIES ON EFFICIENCY AND

MARKET FAILURE
Private Costs vs. Social Costs:
Private costs: Money cost of production incurred by the firm, including wages, raw
materials, etc.
Social costs: Total costs to society, including private costs and external costs borne
by third parties not directly involved in the transaction.
Social Cost Formula: Social Cost = Private Cost + External Cost
External Costs Ignored: External costs, not included in firms' income statements or
consumers' decisions, are real and significant for society.
Market Prices and Incorrect Signals: Market prices without incorporating externalities
send incorrect signals to producers and consumers, leading to either overproduction or
underproduction.
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Market Failure: Competitive markets with externalities produce output levels that are
not socially optimal, resulting in market failure.
PUBLIC GOODS
Definition: A public good, also known as a collective consumption good or social good, is
a product enjoyed collectively, where one individual's consumption does not subtract
from others' consumption.
PRIVATE GOODS VS. PUBLIC GOODS

PRIVATE GOODS
Definition: Scarce goods that individuals must purchase, excludable, and rivalrous in
consumption.
Examples: Food items, clothing, movie tickets, cars.
PUBLIC GOODS
Characteristics:
Non-rival in consumption: One individual's consumption does not reduce availability
for others.
Non-excludable: Consumers cannot be excluded from consumption benefits.
Indivisibility: Total consumption is the same for each individual.
Examples: National defense, highways, public education, scientific research, law
enforcement.
FREE RIDER PROBLEM

Definition: The tendency of individuals to benefit from public goods without contributing
to their costs, due to the non-excludable nature of public goods.
MARKET FAILURE IN PUBLIC GOODS

Free-Riding and Market Failure:
Absence of excludability in public goods leads to free-rider problems.
Individuals have no incentive to pay for public goods as they can consume them
without payment.
Profit-Maximizing Firms and Market Failure:
If individuals don't offer to pay for public goods, profit-maximizing firms will not
produce them.
Producers lack motivation to produce socially-optimal amounts without charging a
positive price or making profits.
Under-Production of Public Goods:
Left to the market, public goods may not be produced at all or will be grossly under-
produced.
Despite their societal value, market failure occurs in the case of public goods.

INCOMPLETE INFORMATION AND MARKET FAILURE
Importance of Complete Information:
Complete information is crucial for a competitive market.
Perfect information implies both buyers and sellers have all relevant information for
decision-making.
Challenges in Real Markets:
Complexity of products and services (e.g., cardiac surgery, financial products).
Difficulty in obtaining correct information.
Deliberate misinformation through persuasive advertisements.

1. Markets do not exist
(a) For pure public goods
(b) For goods which have positive externalities
(c) For goods which have negative externalities
2. The unique feature of an externality is that it is
(a) Initiated and experienced, not through the operation of the price system but affects
an external agent.
(b) Initiated and experienced, not through the operation of the price system, but outside
the market.
(c) Initiated and experienced by the same entity, but causes decrease in social welfare
(d) Causes decreases in social welfare through the system of prices prevailing in the
market
3. If a textile mill produces large amounts of negative externality, then which one of the
following is possible?
(a) The output of textile is too tittle when compared to the socially optimal quantity.
(b) The output of textile is too large when compared to the socially optimal quantity.
(c) The output of textile is not socially optimal as it is likely to be a regulated one
(d) Any of the above
4. In case of a positive externality
(a) The social marginal cost will exceed private marginal cost
(b) The social marginal cost will be equal to private marginal cost
(c) The social marginal cost will be less than private marginal cost
(d) The social marginal cost has no relation to private marginal cost
Answer Key
1. (a) 2. (b) 3. (b) 4. (c)
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The term ‘foreign capital’ encompasses any capital inflow into a home country from abroad.
It’s important to distinguish between the movement of capital and foreign investment. Foreign
capital can enter an economy through various means. Some of the important components
of foreign capital flows are:
ASYMMETRIC INFORMATION
Definition: Asymmetric information occurs when there is an imbalance in information
between the buyer and the seller.
Examples: Landlords vs. tenants, borrowers vs. lenders, used-car sellers vs. buyers, health
insurance buyers vs. insurance companies, traders with insider information.
ADVERSE SELECTION
Definition: Asymmetric information leads to adverse selection, impacting transactions
before they occur.
Example - Health Insurance
Health insurance companies, if able to identify health risks costlessly, could offer low
premiums to low-risk buyers and high premiums to high-risk buyers.
Insurance companies know less about the health conditions of buyers compared to
the buyers themselves.
People with higher health risks are more likely to seek insurance coverage, increasing
the proportion of unhealthy individuals in the insured pool.
Insurance companies may extend coverage to applicants with higher actual risks than
known by the company, leading to "adverse" decisions on coverage or premium costs.
Consequences:
Heavy insurance claims result in rising premiums.
Healthy individuals, aware of their low risks, choose not to be insured.
The proportion of unhealthy individuals among the insured increases, further raising
insurance prices.
In extreme cases, insurance companies may stop selling insurance, creating "missing"
markets.
Economic Impact:
More unhealthy insurance buyers make insurance expensive.
Sellers may incur significant costs to identify the risk for different buyers, increasing
insurance premiums.
The market faces challenges due to adverse selection, leading to potential inefficiencies.
THE "LEMONS PROBLEM" IN THE USED CAR MARKET

George Akerlof's Concept: "Lemons problem" in the used car market illustrates asymmetric
information.
Example:
Second-hand cars can be good quality or poor quality ("lemons").

Owners know more about the car's quality than potential buyers.
Sellers may not disclose all information about mechanical defects.
Buyers base their willingness to pay on the average quality of used cars, considering
uncertainty.
Consequences:
The price offered in the market is lower than the acceptable one.
Sellers of good quality cars avoid placing them in the used car market, keeping or
selling only to relatives or friends.
The market becomes flooded with "lemons," offering lower prices and lower average
quality.
Market Failure:
Asymmetric information in the used car market leads to the elimination of high-
quality cars.
Economic agents may choose sub-standard products or leave the market altogether.
Market failure occurs as low-quality cars dominate, driving out high-quality ones.
Conclusion
Asymmetric information in both insurance and used car markets results in adverse selection
and the "lemons problem," leading to market inefficiencies, higher prices, and the elimination
of high-quality goods. Economic agents face challenges in making informed decisions,
contributing to market failures and potential disruptions in these markets.
MORAL HAZARD IN INSURANCE MARKETS

Definition:
Moral hazard arises when an economic agent can shift some of its costs to others,
leading to opportunistic actions after a market exchange.
It involves an informed person taking advantage of a less-informed person through
unobserved actions, driven by the lack of information about future behavior.
Example - Driver with Comprehensive Insurance
In the insurance market, moral hazard can lead to increased probabilities of losses
or larger-than-normal losses.
For instance, a driver with comprehensive insurance might become less careful while
driving, increasing the likelihood of insurance claims.
Protection from bearing the full costs of harmful actions can result in irresponsible
behavior, making harmful consequences more likely.
Example - Medical Insurance
In medical insurance, extensive coverage may lead individuals to care less about
excessive fees or inefficient and costly procedures by healthcare providers.
The more one's costs are covered by insurance, the less concern about the financial
impact of healthcare decisions.
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Consequences:
Moral hazard in insurance markets can contribute to a rise in insurance premiums
for everyone.
When individuals are shielded from the full costs of their actions, they tend to act in
ways that increase the overall risk and cost for insurers.
The inability to monitor post-sale actions makes it challenging for insurance companies
to judge the genuine occurrence of accidents or the outcome of insured behavior.
Market Impact:
The expected outflow in terms of insurance claims is higher due to moral hazard.
Insurance companies may be forced to increase premiums for everyone or, in extreme
cases, refuse to sell insurance at all, resulting in missing markets.
GOVERNMENT INTERVENTION TO ADDRESS MARKET FAILURES

Infrastructure Development: Government creates necessary physical infrastructure like
roads, bridges, airports, and waterways to facilitate economic activities.
Institutional Infrastructure: Provision of legal and regulatory frameworks, establishment
of the rule of law, and protection of property rights ensure a conducive environment for
fair market exchanges.
Competition and Consumer Law Framework: Government ensures an appropriately
framed competition and consumer law framework to regulate the activities of firms and
individuals in market exchanges.
Intervention for Market Efficiency:
While a free market exists, government intervention is crucial to correct specific
market failures.
Government actions aim to ensure economic efficiency and greater welfare to society
by addressing issues such as externalities, asymmetric information, and moral hazard.
Conclusion
Moral hazard in insurance markets poses challenges to fair market exchanges, impacting the
behavior of economic agents. Government intervention becomes essential to address such
market failures, creating an environment that promotes efficiency, fairness, and greater
welfare for society.
GOVERNMENT INTERVENTION TO MINIMIZE MARKET POWER

1. Legislation and Regulation:
Governments establish rules and regulations, such as the Competition Act, to promote
and sustain competition and prohibit actions that restrain competition.
Antitrust laws in the US and the Competition Act, 1998 in the UK aim to prevent
contracts, combinations, and collusions that restrict trade.
2. Market Liberalization: Introducing competition in previously monopolistic sectors like
energy and telecommunications helps reduce market power.

3. Controls on Mergers and Acquisitions: Governments impose controls on mergers and
acquisitions to prevent possible market domination.
4. Price Regulation: Implementing price capping and regulation prevents monopolistic pricing
practices.
5. Profit or Rate of Return Regulation: Governments may regulate the profit or rate of
return to ensure fair practices.
6. Consumer Patronage: Supporting consumer associations empowers consumers and
promotes fair market practices.
7. Investigations into Unfair Practices: Governments conduct thorough investigations into
cartelization, collusion, and predatory pricing to ensure fair competition.
8. Restrictions on Monopsony Power: Measures are taken to restrict monopsony power,
ensuring fair treatment of suppliers.
9. Reduction in Import Controls: Governments may reduce import controls to enhance
competition in the market.
10. Nationalization: In certain cases, nationalization may be considered as a strategy to
address market power.
GOVERNMENT INTERVENTION TO CORRECT EXTERNALITIES

1. Direct Controls or Regulations:
Governments impose emission standards, licensing, production quotas, and mandates
to control negative externalities like pollution.
Legislation and environmental standards, like the Environment (Protection) Act,
regulate actions to protect the environment.
2. Market-Based Policies:
Pollution Taxes:
¾ Taxes are imposed on firms based on the amount of pollution produced, creating
economic incentives for reducing pollution.
¾ Challenges include determining and administering efficient pollution taxes.
Cap-and-Trade System:
¾ Tradable emissions permits, known as cap-and-trade, set a limit on total emissions,
with permits tradable in the market.
¾ This approach encourages firms to reduce pollution and is administratively simpler
than direct controls.
Government Schemes and Mechanisms:
¾ Various schemes like Perform, Achieve & Trade (PAT), carbon tax, Renewable
Purchase Obligations (RPO), and Renewable Energy Certificates (REC) indirectly
put a price on carbon in India.
¾ Cap-and-trade systems are not explicitly present, but implicit carbon pricing
mechanisms exist.
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Positive Externalities:
¾ For positive externalities, governments implement corrective subsidies to producers
or consumers to increase supply or demand for goods with external benefits.
¾ Corrective production subsidies, like fertilizer subsidies, lower the cost for producers.
Direct Government Production: For goods and services with significant positive
externalities, governments may directly enter the market as producers, e.g., public
education, healthcare, and environmental quality services.
Conclusion
Government intervention plays a crucial role in minimizing market power and correcting
externalities. Through legislation, regulation, and market-based policies, governments aim
to ensure fair competition, prevent market domination, and internalize external costs and
benefits for the overall welfare of society.
GOVERNMENT INTERVENTION IN THE CASE OF MERIT GOODS

Merit goods have positive externalities, making them socially desirable but under-produced
and under-consumed through the market. Government responses include:
1. Regulation:
Governments regulate the provision and consumption of merit goods to ensure quality
and access.
Compulsory immunization, mandatory education, and legal standards for services
are examples.
2. Subsidies:
Providing financial incentives to consumers or producers through subsidies to encourage
consumption or production of merit goods.
Subsidies for education, healthcare, and other essential services fall into this category.
3. Direct Government Provision:

Governments may directly provide merit goods to ensure widespread access.
Offering free healthcare, education, and public services are examples of direct provision.
4. Combination of Government and Market Provision:

Governments may use a mix of direct provision and market mechanisms to ensure
access.
Licensing private firms for public services with regulated entry fees is an example.
5. Legislation to Enforce Consumption:

Governments may enforce laws mandating the consumption of certain merit goods
for the benefit of individuals and society.
The Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education Act is an example.
6. Free Provision:
Making merit goods completely free at the point of consumption to encourage
widespread use.
Free hospital treatment is an example.

GOVERNMENT INTERVENTION IN THE CASE OF DEMERIT GOODS
Demerit goods are socially undesirable, and government intervention aims to discourage their
production and consumption:
1. Complete Ban: Governments may enforce a complete ban on demerit goods, making
their possession, trade, or consumption illegal.
2. Persuasion and Negative Advertising: Negative advertising campaigns highlight the dangers
associated with demerit goods to discourage consumption.
3. Legislative Measures: Legislation prohibiting the advertising or promotion of demerit
goods to limit their appeal.
4. Regulatory Controls: Strict regulations on the market, spatial restrictions, and time
restrictions to limit access, especially for vulnerable groups.
5. High Taxes: Imposing high taxes on demerit goods to increase their cost and make them
unaffordable.
6. Minimum Price Fixing: Fixing a minimum price below which demerit goods should not
be exchanged to discourage consumption.
GOVERNMENT INTERVENTION IN THE CASE OF PUBLIC GOODS

1. Direct Provision: Governments directly provide public goods such as defense, legal systems,
fire protection, and disease prevention.
2. Excludable Public Goods: Governments may grant licenses to private firms for the provision
of excludable public goods, regulating entry fees.
3. Voluntary Contributions: Some public goods are provided through voluntary contributions
and private donations.
4. Government as an Entrepreneur: Government may enter the market as an entrepreneur
to produce goods deemed dangerous to society if left to profit motives.
PRICE INTERVENTION: NON-MARKET PRICING

1. Price Controls:
Governments may implement price controls, including price floors (minimum prices)
or price ceilings (maximum prices).
Examples include minimum wages and rent controls.
2. Minimum Support Price (MSP): Governments use programs like MSP to ensure steady
and assured incomes for farmers by intervening in the pricing of agricultural crops.
GOVERNMENT INTERVENTION FOR CORRECTING INFORMATION FAILURE

1. Mandatory Labeling and Disclosures:
Governments mandate accurate labeling and content disclosures by producers to
inform consumers.
Requirements for cigarette packet labels and nutritional information on food packages
are examples.
Public Finance 369

2. Disclosure of Information: Governments mandate the disclosure of information, ensuring
that accurate information is provided to buyers, as seen in regulations by SEBI.
3. Public Dissemination of Information: Governments disseminate information to improve
public knowledge about products, services, or investments.
4. Regulation of Advertising: Governments regulate advertising and set standards to make
advertising more responsible, informative, and less persuasive.
GOVERNMENT INTERVENTION FOR EQUITABLE DISTRIBUTION

1. Redistribution Policies: Progressive income tax, targeted budgetary allocations,
unemployment compensation, transfer payments, subsidies, and social security schemes
are used for income redistribution.
2. Combatting Black Economy: Governments intervene to combat the black economy and
address market distortions associated with it.
3. Ensuring Equity: Interventions aim to ensure fairness and equity in society through various
measures, including land reforms, job reservations, and gender-sensitive budgeting.
Conclusion
Government interventions in the market address various market failures and challenges,
aiming to achieve economic efficiency, fairness, and overall societal welfare. The effectiveness
of interventions depends on careful consideration of costs and benefits, and potential
government failures should be minimized.
EXERCISE
1. 'Market failure' is a situation which occurs when
(a) Private goods are not sufficiently provided by the market
(b) Public goods are not sufficiently provided by public sector
(c) The market fail to form or they allocate resources efficiently
2. Which of the following is an example of market failure?
(a) Prices of goods tend to rise because of shortages
(b) Merit goods are not sufficiently produced and supplied
(c) Prices fall leading to fall in profits and closure of firms
3. Which of the following is an outcome of market power?
(a) Makes price equal to marginal cost and produce a positive external benefit on others
(b) Can cause markets to be efficient due to reduction in costs
(c) Makes the firms price makers and restrict output so as to make allocation inefficient
(d) (b) and(c) above

4. Markets do not exist
(a) For goods which have positive externalities
(b) For pure public goods
(c) For goods which have negative externalities
5. Which of the following is the right argument for provision of public good by government?
(a) Governments have huge resources at their disposal
(b) Public goods will never cause any type of externality
(c) Markets are unlikely to produce sufficient quantity of public goods
(d) Provision of public goods are very profitable for any government
6. Adequate amount of a pure public good will not be provided by the private market
because of
(a) The possibility of free riding
(b) The existence of very low prices and low profits
(c) Governments would any way produce them, so there will be overproduction
(d) There are restrictions as well as taxes on production of public goods
7. The free rider problem arises because of
(a) Ability of participants to produce goods at zero marginal cost
(b) Marginal benefit cannot be calculated due to externalities present
(c) The good or service is non excludable
(d) General poverty and unemployment of people
8. A chemical factory has full information regarding the risks of a product, but continues
to sell it. This is possible because of
(a) Asymmetric information (b) Moral hazard
(c) Free riding (d) (a) and (c) above
9. If an individual tends to drive his car in a dangerously high speed because he has a
comprehensive insurance cover, it is a case of
(a) Free riding (b) moral hazard
(c) Poor upbringing (d) Inefficiency
10. Smoking in public is a case of
(a) Negative consumption externality
(b) Negative production externality
(c) Internalising externality
11. Read the following statements
(i) The market-based approaches to control externalities operate through price
cmechanism
(ii) When externalities are present, the welfare loss would be eliminated
Public Finance 371
(iii) The key is to internalizing an externality is to ensure that those who create the
externalities include them while making decisions
Of the above statements
(a) (ii) and (iii) are correct (b) (i) only is correct
(c) (ii) only is correct (d) (i) and (iii) are correct
12. Which of the following statements is false?
(a) Tradable permits provide incentive to innovate and reduce negative externalities
(b) A subsidy on a good which has substantial positive externalities would reduce its cost
and consequently its price would be lower
(c) Substantial negative externalities are involved in the consumption of merit goods.
(d) Merit goods are likely to be under-produced and under consumed through the market
mechanism
13. Which one of the following would you suggest for reducing negative externality?
(a) Production subsidies (b) Excise duty
(c) Pigouvian taxes (d) All of the above
14. A Pigouvian subsidy
(a) Cannot he present when externalities are present
(b) Is a good solution for negative externality as prices will increase
(c) Is not measurable in terms of money and therefore not practical
(d) May help production to he socially optimal when positive externalities are present
15. If governments make it compulsory to avail insurance protection, it is because
(a) Insurance companies need to he running profitably
(b) Insurance will generate moral hazard and adverse selection
(c) Insurance is a merit good and government wants people to consume it
16. The Competition Act, 2002 aims to -
(a) Protect monopoly positions of firms that have developed unique innovations
(b) To promote and sustain competition in markets
(c) To determine pricing under natural monopoly.
17. Rules regarding product labelling
(a) Seeks to correct market failure due to externalities
(b) Is a method of solving the problem of public good
(c) May help solve market failure due to information failure
(d) Reduce the problem of monopolies in the product market
18. Identify the incorrect statement
(a) A minimum support price for agricultural goods is a market intervention method
to guarantee steady and assured incomes to farmers.

(b) An externality is internalised if the ones that generated the externality incorporate
them into their private cost- benefit analysis
(c) The production and consumption of demerit goods are likely to be less than optimal
under free markets
(d) Compared to pollution taxes, the cap and trade method is administratively cheap
and simple to implement and ensures that pollution is minimised in the most cost-
effective way.
19. The incentive to let other people pay for a good or service, the benefits of which are
enjoyed by an individual
(a) Is a case of negative externality (b) Is a case of market efficiency
(c) Is a case of free riding (d) is inappropiate and warrant action
20. A Government subsidy
(a) Is a market-based policy
(b) Involves the government paying part of the cost to the firms in order to promote
the production of goods having positive externalities
(c) Is generally provided for merit goods
(d) all the above
21. The production and consumption of demerit goods are
(a) Likely to be more than optimal under free markets.
(b) Likely to be less than optimal under free markets
(c) Likely to be subjected to price intervention by government
(d) (a) and (c) above
22. The argument for education subsidy is based on
(a) Education is costly
(b) The ground that education is merit good
(c) Education creates positive externalities
(i) Social costs are the total costs incurred by the society when a good is consumed or
produced.
(ii) The external costs are not included in firms' income statements or consumers' decisions
(iii) Each firm's cost which is considered for determining output would be only private
cost or direct cost of production which does not include external costs
(iv) Production and consumption decisions are efficient only when private costs are
considered
Of the above
(a) Statements (i) and (iii) are correct
(b) Statements (i), (ii) and (iii) are correct
(c) Statement (i) only is correct
(d) All the above are correct
Public Finance 373
24. Government failure occurs when
(a) Government fails to implement its election promises on policies
(b) A government is unable to get reelected
(c) Government intervention is ineffective and produces fresh and more serious problems
Answer Key
1. (c) 2. (b) 3. (c) 4. (b) 5. (c) 6. (a) 7. (c) 8. (a) 9. (b) 10. (a)
11. (d) 12. (c) 13. (c) 14. (d) 15. (c) 16. (b) 17. (c) 18. (c) 19. (c) 20. (d)
21. (d) 22. (d) 23. (b) 24. (c)


UNIT The Process of Budget-Making: Source
3 of Revenue, Expenditure Management

and Management of Public Debt
INTRODUCTION
UNITING FINANCES: THE POWER OF BUDGETS
Governments worldwide bear the responsibility of diverse functions, from safeguarding their
territories to upholding law and order, providing public goods, and devising comprehensive
plans for citizens' economic and social welfare. For these endeavors, financial resources are
a governmental necessity, and the budget emerges as a potent policy tool to regulate and
reshape a country's economic priorities.
The essence of budgeting lies in the judicious allocation of limited resources, aiming for the
maximal social welfare possible. The government, in executing its functions, must reallocate
resources in alignment with declared priorities. Through effective budgeting, the government
achieves not only the redistribution of income and wealth but also addresses broader objectives
such as stabilizing the economy, sustaining real GDP growth, and mitigating regional disparities.
At its core, a budget serves as a detailed statement answering the fundamental questions
of 'where the money comes from' and 'where the money goes.' Presented for approval and
legislation, a government budget encompasses estimates of proposed expenditures for a
specific period and the means of financing them. It acts as a roadmap for the government's
fiscal plans, projecting revenues and expenditures across sectors like agriculture, industry,
and services. This comprehensive financial report, known as budgeted estimates, stands as a
crucial document consolidating revenues from various sources and outlays for all governmental
activities.
While state and local bodies conduct their budgetary processes, this exploration centers on
the union budget, examining the intricate financial blueprint that steers a nation's course.
BUDGET MAKING PROCESS

CRAFTING THE FINANCIAL BLUEPRINT: THE BUDGETARY JOURNEY
The budgetary process is the collaborative effort of the executive and legislative branches
to formulate a cohesive set of taxing and spending proposals. Traditionally overseen by the
Ministry of Finance, the government's finances in India are carefully crafted through a series
of steps involving planning, presentation, and execution.
Despite the absence of the term 'budget' in the Indian Constitution, Article 112 outlines the
requirement for an 'Annual Financial Statement.' This statement, commonly referred to as
the budget, is presented before both houses of parliament annually, detailing the estimated
receipts and expenditures of the government for the upcoming fiscal year.
THE BUDGETARY PROCESS ENCOMPASSES 3 KEY STAGES:
1. Preparation of the Budget: The Ministry of Finance initiates the process in August-
September of the preceding year. A comprehensive schedule is prepared, and a budget
circular is issued to all relevant entities. Ministries and departments then prepare detailed
estimates of receipts and expenditures.
2. Presentation and Enactment of the Budget: The Union Finance Minister conducts pre-
budget consultations with various stakeholders, including state finance ministers, chief
ministers, and representatives from different sectors. The budget, presented in Parliament,
includes estimates for the current and upcoming financial years, as well as actuals from
the preceding year. The Finance Minister's budget speech provides a detailed overview of
proposed policies, taxation, borrowings, and government expenditure plans.
3. Execution of the Budget: The budget undergoes discussions in two stages in the Lok Sabha.
The first involves a general discussion on the budget as a whole, followed by a period of
adjournment. During this break, standing committees review demands for grants of
various ministries. The Lok Sabha then proceeds with discussion and voting on demands
for grants. The Parliament has the authority to concur, refuse demands, or adjust grant
amounts. The Rajya Sabha, while having a general discussion on the budget, does not
vote on demands for grants. The government introduces the Appropriation Bill, providing
authority to incur expenditures from the Consolidated Fund of India. The Finance Bill,
aligning with taxation proposals, is introduced and must be passed within 75 days of its
introduction.
The process culminates in 'Guillotine,' a mechanism to conclude the debate on financial
proposals within a set timeframe. The Finance Bill, once passed by the Lok Sabha, undergoes
consideration in the Rajya Sabha, with recommendations returned within 14 days.
Since the financial year 2017-18, the budget's presentation date has been advanced to
February 1st. An integral reform was the merger of the railway budget with the general
budget from the financial year 2017-18 onward.
SOURCES OF REVENUE
In the complex web of fiscal management, the Department of Revenue under the Ministry of
Finance takes the reins, overseeing direct and indirect union taxes. Two statutory boards, the
Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) and the Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs
(CBIC), play pivotal roles in managing matters related to these taxes.
Government receipts, vital for sustaining its functions, are categorized into revenue receipts
and capital receipts. Revenue receipts encompass tax revenue and non-tax revenue, while
capital receipts include debt receipts and non-debt capital receipts.
TAXING MATTERS: A GLIMPSE AT REVENUE STREAMS

1. Corporation Tax: Levied on corporate entities, this tax contributes significantly to the
government's revenue.
2. Taxes on Income: Individual income taxes form a substantial part of the revenue, ensuring
a diversified income stream.
3. Wealth Tax: A tax on the wealth possessed by individuals, contributing to the government's
financial pool.

4. Customs Duties: Income generated from duties imposed on imports and exports, playing
a crucial role in trade-related revenue.
5. Union Excise Duties: Levied on goods manufactured or produced in India, contributing
to the government's indirect tax revenue.
6. Goods and Services Tax (GST): An indirect tax on the supply of goods and services,
including the GST compensation cess.
7. Taxes on Union Territories: Revenue generated from taxation within union territories.
BEYOND TAXES: NON-TAX REVENUES

1. Interest Receipts: Income derived from interest on loans and other financial instruments.
2. Dividends and Profits: Revenue generated from public sector enterprises and transfers
from the Reserve Bank of India.
3. Other Non-Tax Revenues: Diverse sources contributing to the government's income.
4. Receipts of Union Territories: Income generated from union territories.
SOCIAL SERVICES AND ECONOMIC CONTRIBUTIONS: A DUAL REVENUE

STREAM
Government activities in various sectors, such as medical services, public health, education,
sports, art and culture, housing, communication, energy, transport, science, technology,
environment, railways, and general administrative services, yield revenue. These contributions
are not only essential for societal well-being but also serve as revenue-generating avenues
for the government.
CAPITAL RECEIPTS: BALANCING THE BOOKS

1. Non-Debt Capital Receipts: Includes recoveries of loans and advances, miscellaneous
capital receipts (disinvestments, etc.).
2. Debt Capital Receipts: Involves market loans, short-term/treasury bill borrowings,
securities issued against small savings, state provident fund (net), net external debts, and
other receipts (net).
In essence, non-debt receipts encompass recoveries of loans, sale proceeds from divestments,
and other capital transactions. Debt capital receipts involve various forms of borrowings,
including market loans and short-term borrowings.
As the financial tapestry unfolds, the government strategically navigates various revenue
sources, ensuring a delicate balance between taxation, non-tax revenue, and capital receipts
to meet its multifaceted financial needs.
PUBLIC EXPENDITURE MANAGEMENT

In the realm of fiscal responsibility, effective public expenditure management is the compass
that guides governments through the sea of limited resources. This management is crucial
for aligning aggregate public expenditure with a sustainable macroeconomic framework. In
economies like India, where substantial public spending is vital for fostering economic growth
and creating employment opportunities, the need for prudent expenditure policies becomes
paramount.
Public Finance 377

The Department of Expenditure under the Ministry of Finance shoulders the responsibility of
overseeing the public financial management system in the central government. It plays a pivotal
role in implementing the recommendations of entities like the Finance Commission and the
Central Pay Commission, monitoring audit comments and observations, and preparing central
government accounts. Additionally, it aids central ministries and departments in controlling
costs, reviewing systems, and optimizing the outputs and outcomes of public expenditure.
As the government juggles various expenditure requirements, pre-budget meetings chaired by
the Secretary (Expenditure) become essential forums for discussing funds needed for different
programs and schemes. The Department of Expenditure finalizes expenditure estimates and
communicates them to ministries and departments after Finance Minister approval. The
'Expenditure Profile,' a vital document in the budget, consolidates relevant data across all
entities to provide a snapshot of the government's financial performance.
TRY YOUR UNDERSTANDING

1. The budgetry process includes following stages –
(a) Preparation of the Budget (b) Presentation and Enactment of the Budget
(c) Execution of the Budget (d) All of the above
2. Which of the following is not revenue receipt of the government
(a) Corporation tax (b) House tax
(c) Income tax (d) Borrowings from RBI
Answer Key
1. (d) 2. (d)
EXPENDITURE UNVEILED: CATEGORIZING THE FISCAL LANDSCAPE

The total expenditure through the budget encompasses both current and capital components,
consisting of central expenditure and transfers. In the Expenditure Budget, central government
expenditure falls into six broad categories:
A. Centre’s Expenditure:
Establishment Expenditure of the Centre: Encompassing costs related to ministries,
departments, attached, and subordinate offices.
Central Sector Schemes: Fully funded and implemented by central agencies under
union government ministries/departments.
Other Central Expenditures: Including those on CPSEs (Central Public Sector
Enterprises) and Autonomous Bodies.
B. Centrally Sponsored Schemes and other Transfers:
Centrally Sponsored Schemes: Programs where the center and states share funding
and implementation responsibilities.
Finance Commission Transfers: Allocations made by the Finance Commission.
Other Transfers to States: Additional fund transfers to states.
Establishment expenditure focuses on the organizational and administrative costs of ministries,
departments, and related offices. Central Sector Schemes are fully backed and managed by

central agencies, ensuring a centralized approach to certain initiatives. The categorization
facilitates a nuanced understanding of how government expenditures are allocated and
utilized, contributing to effective fiscal management.
PUBLIC EXPENDITURE MANAGEMENT

In the realm of fiscal responsibility, effective public expenditure management is the compass
that guides governments through the sea of limited resources. This management is crucial
for aligning aggregate public expenditure with a sustainable macroeconomic framework. In
economies like India, where substantial public spending is vital for fostering economic growth
and creating employment opportunities, the need for prudent expenditure policies becomes
paramount.
The Department of Expenditure under the Ministry of Finance shoulders the responsibility of
overseeing the public financial management system in the central government. It plays a pivotal
role in implementing the recommendations of entities like the Finance Commission and the
Central Pay Commission, monitoring audit comments and observations, and preparing central
government accounts. Additionally, it aids central ministries and departments in controlling
costs, reviewing systems, and optimizing the outputs and outcomes of public expenditure.
As the government juggles various expenditure requirements, pre-budget meetings chaired by
the Secretary (Expenditure) become essential forums for discussing funds needed for different
programs and schemes. The Department of Expenditure finalizes expenditure estimates and
communicates them to ministries and departments after Finance Minister approval. The
'Expenditure Profile,' a vital document in the budget, consolidates relevant data across all
entities to provide a snapshot of the government's financial performance.
Expenditure Unveiled: Categorizing the Fiscal Landscape
The total expenditure through the budget encompasses both current and capital components,
consisting of central expenditure and transfers. In the Expenditure Budget, central government
expenditure falls into six broad categories:
A. Centre’s Expenditure:
Establishment Expenditure of the Centre: Encompassing costs related to ministries,
departments, attached, and subordinate offices.
Central Sector Schemes: Fully funded and implemented by central agencies under
union government ministries/departments.
Other Central Expenditures: Including those on CPSEs (Central Public Sector
Enterprises) and Autonomous Bodies.
B. Centrally Sponsored Schemes and other Transfers:
Centrally Sponsored Schemes: Programs where the center and states share funding
and implementation responsibilities.
Finance Commission Transfers: Allocations made by the Finance Commission.
Other Transfers to States: Additional fund transfers to states.
Establishment expenditure focuses on the organizational and administrative costs of ministries,
departments, and related offices. Central Sector Schemes are fully backed and managed by
central agencies, ensuring a centralized approach to certain initiatives. The categorization
facilitates a nuanced understanding of how government expenditures are allocated and
utilized, contributing to effective fiscal management.
Public Finance 379
The sheer size of India’s public debt can be understood from the following table:
Debt Position of the Government of India (In ` Crores)
As on 31st March 2023 As on 31st March 2024
Internal debt and other liabilities 147,77,724.43 164,23,983.04
External debt 4,83,397.69 5,22,683.81
Total 152,61,122.12 169,46,666.85
Source: Budget 2023–2024
In line with the global trend, the government of India also responded to the pandemic
challenges and increased its expenditure on health and social sector. At the same time,
the revenue receipts declined substantially due to the adverse effects of the pandemic on
economic activity. Consequently, fiscal deficit widened necessitating an increase in the size of
the borrowing programme significantly during 2020-21 and 2021-22 in order to render
counter-cyclical fiscal policy support and to provide targeted support to segments deeply
hit by the pandemic.
The Reserve Bank has been proactively engaged in the development of the government
securities (G-sec) market including broadening of investor participation. As part of continuing
efforts to increase retail participation in G-sec, ‘RBI Retail Direct’ facility was announced
on February 5, 2021:
For improving the ease of access by retail investors through online access to the primary
and secondary government securities market.
To provide the facility to open their government securities account (‘Retail Direct’) with
the Reserve Bank.
BUDGET CONCEPTS
TYPE OF BUDGETS
Balanced budget: A balanced budget is a budget in which revenues are equal to expenditures.
Thus, neither a budget deficit nor a budget surplus exists. Revenue does not fall short of
expenditure. i.e., revenue is equal to expenditure (Revenue= Expenditure).
Unbalanced budget: The budget may either be surplus or deficit.
A surplus budget: when estimated government receipts are more than the estimated
government expenditure it is termed as surplus budget. When the government spends
less than the receipts the budget becomes surplus. Briefly put, public revenue exceeds
public expenditure (R > E.)
A deficit budget: when estimated government receipts are less than the government
expenditure, it is termed as a deficit budget. A deficit budget increases the liability of
the government or decreases its reserves. In modern economies, most of the countries
follow deficit budgeting.

CAPITAL RECEIPTS
Capital receipts are those receipts that lead to a reduction in the assets or an increase in the
liabilities of the government. Examples include recoveries of loans, earnings from disinvestment
and debt.
REVENUE RECEIPTS
Revenue receipts can be defined as those receipts which neither create any liability nor cause
any reduction in the assets of the government. There are two sources of revenue receipts for
the government – tax revenues and non-tax revenues.
REVENUE EXPENDITURE
Revenue expenditure is expenditure incurred for purposes other than creation of physical or
financial assets of the central government. It relates to those expenses incurred for the normal
functioning of the government departments and various services, interest payments on debt
incurred by the government, and grants given to state governments and other parties (even
though some of the grants may be meant for creation of assets).
CAPITAL EXPENDITURE
There are expenditures of the government which result in creation of physical or financial
assets or reduction in financial liabilities. This includes expenditure on the acquisition of land,
building, machinery and equipment, investment in shares, and loans and advances by the
central government to state and union territory governments, PSUs and other parties.
When a government spends more than it collects by way of revenue, it incurs a budget
deficit. There are various measures that capture government deficit and they have their own
implications for the economy.
BUDGETARY DEFICIT OR OVERALL DEFICIT

Budgetary Deficit is defined as the excess of total estimated expenditure over total estimated
revenue is the difference between all receipts and expenditure, both revenue and capital.
REVENUE DEFICIT
The revenue deficit refers to the excess of government’s revenue expenditure over revenue
receipts. It shows the shortfall of government’s current receipts over current expenditure. It
shows the government revenue is insufficient to meet the regular expenditures in connection
with the normal functioning of the government, or the government is diverting resources
from other sectors to finance its current expenditure.
Revenue deficit = Revenue expenditure – Revenue receipts
FISCAL DEFICIT
When the government’s non-borrowed receipts fall short of its entire expenditure, it has to
borrow money from the public to meet the shortfall. The excess of total expenditure over
total receipts excluding borrowings during a given fiscal year is called the fiscal deficit. In
other words, fiscal deficit is the difference between the government’s total expenditure and
its total receipts excluding borrowing. It is often presented as a percentage of the gross
domestic product (GDP).
Public Finance 381
Total Receipts excluding borrowing = Revenue Receipts + Capital Receipts excluding borrowing
or (Non debt creating capital receipts). Non debt creating capital receipts include recoveries
of loans advanced by the government and sale proceeds of government assets, including those
realized from divestment of government equity in public sector undertakings (PSUs).
Fiscal deficit = Total Expenditure –Total Receipts excluding borrowing
Fiscal Deficit = (Revenue Expenditure + Capital Expenditure) – (Revenue Receipts + Capital
Receipts excluding borrowing)
Fiscal Deficit = (Revenue Expenditure- Revenue Receipts) + (Capital Expenditure – Capital
Receipts excluding borrowing)
Fiscal Deficit = Revenue Deficit + (Capital Expenditure - Capital Receipts excluding borrowing)
The fiscal deficit will have to be financed by borrowing. Therefore fiscal deficit points to the
total borrowing requirements of the government from all sources. In case revenue deficit
occupies a substantial share of fiscal deficit, it is an indication that a large part of borrowing
is used for consumption purposes rather than for investment.
PRIMARY DEFICIT
Primary deficit is defined as fiscal deficit of current year minus interest payments on previous
borrowings. In other words whereas fiscal deficit indicates borrowing requirement inclusive
of interest payment, primary deficit indicates borrowing requirement exclusive of interest
payment. It tells how much of the government’s borrowings are going towards meeting
expenses other than interest payments. Primary deficit thus gives an estimate of borrowings
on account of current expenditure exceeding current revenues. The goal of measuring primary
deficit is to focus on present fiscal imbalances.
Primary deficit = Fiscal deficit – Net Interest liabilities
Net interest liabilities interest payments minus interest receipts by the government on
domestic lending.
FINANCE BILL
The Bill produced immediately after the presentation of the union budget detailing the
Imposition, abolition, alteration or regulation of taxes proposed in the budget.
OUTCOME BUDGET
The outcome budget establishes a direct link between budgetary allocations of schemes and its
annual performance targets measured through output and outcome indicators. The outcome
budget is a progress card on what various ministries and departments have done with the
outlays in the previous annual budget. It measures the development outcomes of all government
programs and whether the money has been spent for the purpose it was sanctioned including
the outcome of the fund usage.
GUILLOTINE
The parliament has very limited time for examining the expenditure demands of all the
ministries. So, once the prescribed period for the discussion on demands for grants is over,
the speaker of Lok Sabha puts all the outstanding demands for grants, whether discussed or
not, to the vote of the house. This process is popularly known as 'Guillotine'.

CUT MOTIONS
Motions for reduction to various demands for grants are made in the form of cut motions
seeking to reduce the sums sought by government on grounds of economy or difference of
opinion on matters of policy or just in order to voice a grievance.
CONSOLIDATED FUND OF INDIA

All revenues received, loans raised and all moneys received by the government in repayment
of loans are credited to the Consolidated Fund of India and all expenditures of the government
are incurred from this fund. Money can be spent through this fund only if appropriated by
the parliament. The consolidated Fund has further been divided into ‘revenue’ and ‘capital’
divisions.
CONTINGENCY FUND OF INDIA

A fund placed at the disposal of the President to enable him/her to make advances to the
executive/Government to meet urgent unforeseen expenditure. Contingency fund enables the
government to meet unforeseen expenditure and does not require prior legislative approval,
unlike with the Consolidated Fund. For meeting such exigencies, advances are made to the
executive from the contingency fund which is subsequently reported to the Parliament for
recoupment from the Consolidated Fund of India.
PUBLIC ACCOUNT
Under provisions of Article 266(1) of the Constitution of India, public account is used in relation
to all the fund flows where government is acting as a banker. Examples include Provident
Funds and Small Savings. This money does not belong to government but is to be returned
to the depositors. The expenditure from this fund need not be approved by the parliament.
EXERCISE
1. The difference between the budget deficit of a government and its debt service payments
is
(a) Fiscal deficit (b) Budget deficit
(c) Primary deficit (d) None of the above
The following hypothetical figures relate to country A
` Crores
Revenue receipts 20,000
Recovery of loans 7,500
Borrowing 75,000
Other Receipts 5,000
Expenditure on revenue account 24,500
Expenditure on capital account 26,000
Interest payments 2,000
Public Finance 383

2. The revenue deficit for country A is.
(a) 5,000 (b) 24,000 (c) 4,500 (d) None of these
3. Fisal deficit of country A is.
(a) 14,000 (b) 24,000 (c) 23,000 (d) None of these
4. Primary deficit of country A is
(a) 26,000 (b) 26,500 (c) 22,000 (d) 24,500
5. In NITI Aayog, NITI stands for
(a) National initiative for transforming India.
(b) National institution for transforming India.
(c) National institute for technology and innovation
(d) None of these
6. The appropriation bill is intended to
(a) reduce unnecessary expenditure on the part of the government
(b) give authority to government to incur expenditure from and out of the Consolidated
Fund of India
(c) give authority to government to incur expenditure from the revenue receipts only
(d) be passed before the budget is taken for discussion
7. Public debt management aims at
(a) An efficient budgetary policy to avail of domestic debt facilities
(b) Raising loans from international agencies at lower rates of interest
(c) Raising the required amount of funding at the desired risk and cost levels
(d) Management of public expenditure to reduce public debt
8. The railway budget is
(a) Part of the general budget, but is presented by the railway minister
(b) Part of the general budget from the budget for financial year 2017-18.
(c) Part of the general budget from the budget for financial year 2021-22
(d) Part of the general budget but presented on the next day of the general budget
9. Outcome budgeting
(a) shares information about the money allocated for various purposes in a budget
(b) establishes a direct link between budgetary allocations and performance targets
measured through output and outcome indicators
(c) establishes a direct link between budgetary performance targets and public account
disbursals
(d) shares information about public policies and programmes under the budget
10. Corporate tax
(a) is collected by the union government and can be a capital receipt or revenue receipt
(b) may be collected by the respective states and fall under revenue receipts
(c) may be collected either by the centre or states and fall under revenue receipts
(d) is collected by the union government and is a revenue receipt
11. Government borrowings from foreign governments and institutions
(a) Capital receipt
(b) Revenue receipt
(c) Accounts for fiscal deficit
(d) Any of the above depending on the purpose of borrowing
The following table relates to the revenue and expenditure figures of a hypothetical
economy
In ` Lakh Crores
(a) Recovery of loans 5. 1
(b) Salaries of govt. servants 41.1
(c) Capital Expenditure 45.0
(d) Interest payments 1.3
(e) Payments towards subsidies 3.2
(f) Other receipts (mainly from disinvestment) 11.6
(g) Tax revenue (net of states' share) 26.3
(h) Non-tax revenue 12.3
(i) Borrowings and other liabilities 6.8
(j) States' share in tax revenue 11.9
12. The capital receipts are

(a) 23.5 (b) 19.7 (c) 11.3 (d) None of the above
13. Revenue deficit is
(a) 23.6 (b) 13.0 (c) 7.0 (d) 2.6
14. The non-debt capital receipts of this country is
(a) 45.1 (b) 16.7 (c) 15.8 (d) None of the above
15. A budget is said to be unbalanced when
(a) when government's revenue exceeds government's expenditure
(b) when government's expenditure exceeds government's revenue
(c) either budget surplus of budget deficit occurs
(d) All the above
16. Fiscal deficit refers to
(a) the excess of government's revenue expenditure over revenue receipts
(b) The excess of total expenditure over total receipts excluding borrowings
(c) Primary deficit - interest payments
(d) None of these
Public Finance 385
17. Budget of the government generally impacts
(a) the resource allocation in the economy
(b) redistribution of income and enhance equity
(c) stability in the economy by measures to control price fluctuations
(d) all the above
18. Which of the following is a statement submitted along with the budget as a requirement
of FRBM Act
(a) Annual Financial Statement
(b) Macro -Economic Framework Statement
(c) Medium-Term Fiscal Policy cum Fiscal Policy Strategy Statement
19. Government borrowing is treated as capital receipt because
(a) It is mainly used for creating assets by government
(b) It creates a liability for the government
(c) Both (a) and (b) above are correct
(d) None of the above is correct
20. 'Retail Direct 'scheme is
(a) Initiated by the Reserve Bank of India
(b) facilitate investment in government securities by individual investors.
(c) Direct sale of goods and services by government departments
(d) Both (a) and (b) are correct
21. Non-debt capital receipts
(a) do not add to the assets of the government and therefore not treated as capital
receipts
(b) are those that do not create any future repayment burden for the government
(c) are those that create future liabilities for the government
(d) facilitate capital investments at low cost
22. Which of the following is a capital receipt?
(a) Licence fee received
(b) Sale proceeds from disinvestment
(c) Assistance from Japan for covid vaccine
(d) Dividend from a public sector enterprise
23. Grants given by the central government to state governments is
(a) A revenue expenditure as it is meant to meet the current expenditure of the states
(b) A revenue expenditure as it does neither creates any asset, nor reduces any liability
of the government
(c) A capital expenditure because it increase the capital base of the states
(d) It is a grant and so does not come under revenue expenditure or capital

24. Short-term credit from the Reserve Bank to state governments to bridge temporary
mismatches in cash flows is known as
(a) RBI credit to states
(b) Commercial credit of RBI
(c) Ways and Means Advances (Wfv1A)
(d) Short term facility
Answer Key
1. (c) 2. (c) 3. (b) 4. (c) 5. (b) 6. (b) 7. (c) 8. (b) 9. (b) 10. (d)
11. (a) 12. (a) 13. (c) 14. (b) 15. (d) 16. (d) 17. (d) 18. (d) 19. (b) 20. (d)
21. (b) 22. (b) 23. (b) 24. (c)

Public Finance 387

UNIT
4 Fiscal Policy
INTRODUCTION: GOVERNMENT BUDGET AND FISCAL POLICY

1. Government Economic Goals: Governments worldwide pursue various economic goals,
including rapid economic growth, equitable distribution of wealth, poverty reduction,
price stability, exchange rate stability, full employment, and balanced regional development.
2. Role of Government Budget:
The government budget emerges as a powerful instrument in achieving economic
objectives.
The budgetary policy encompasses public revenue (taxation), public expenditure,
public debt, and deficit financing to address the gap between public receipts and
payments.
3. Fiscal Policy Definition:
Fiscal policy is a deliberate government strategy employing taxation, public expenditure,
and public borrowing to influence economic activity’s pattern, aggregate demand,
output, and employment levels.
It is essentially a demand-side policy, intervening in the economy to shape its
trajectory.
4. Tools of Fiscal Policy:
Taxation: Governments use taxes to regulate income distribution and control spending
power.
Public Expenditure: The government spends money to stimulate economic activity,
create jobs, and address societal needs.
Public Debt: Governments may borrow to fund projects or cover deficits, impacting
overall economic health.
Deficit Financing: Bridging the gap between public receipts and payments by borrowing
money.
5. Objective of Fiscal Policy: Fiscal policy aims to influence economic variables like aggregate
demand, output, and employment to achieve broader socio-economic goals.
6. Classical Economists’ Perspective:
Classical economists argued against government intervention, believing in the self-
adjusting nature of the market mechanism.
They contended that markets maintain stability, ensuring full employment without
the need for deliberate fiscal policies.
Advocated for a balanced budget, asserting that active fiscal policies were unnecessary.
7. Keynesian Revolution:
The significance of fiscal policy gained recognition after the Great Depression of the
1930s.
John Maynard Keynes, in “The General Theory of Employment, Interest, and Money”
(1936), proposed increased government spending to combat recession and
unemployment.
Keynesian economics challenged the laissez-faire approach and advocated for an
active role for the government in managing the economy.
8. Modern Context:
Recent global financial crises prompted many countries to adopt a more active fiscal
policy.
Governments use fiscal tools to address economic challenges, demonstrating the
evolving role of fiscal policy in modern economic governance.
OBJECTIVES OF FISCAL POLICY

1. Derived from Societal Goals: The objectives of fiscal policy, akin to other government
economic policies, stem from societal aspirations. Government responsibility includes
providing goods and services for social welfare, such as highways, education, and
healthcare.
2. Varied Objectives Across Nations:
Nations exhibit diversity, leading to variations in fiscal policy objectives.
Common objectives include:
¾ Achievement and maintenance of full employment.
¾ Maintenance of price stability.
¾ Acceleration of economic development.
¾ Equitable distribution of income and wealth.
3. Priority Variations:
The importance and priority order of these objectives differ among countries and
change over time.
Developed nations may prioritize stability and equality, while developing countries
may emphasize economic growth, employment, and equity.
4. Government Influence on Resource Allocation:
Governments wield direct and indirect influence on resource utilization.
Fiscal policy emerges as a potent tool due to its impact on the total output, i.e., gross
domestic product (GDP).
5. Stabilization Role of Fiscal Policy:
Fiscal policy’s influence on aggregate demand positions it as a key instrument for
economic stabilization.
The fundamental equation of national income accounting illustrates this relationship:
GDP = C + I + G + Nx
Public Finance 389
The equation breaks down aggregate spending or demand into components like private
consumption (C), investment (I), government expenditure (G), and net exports (NX).
6. Government’s Direct Control: Governments directly control the level of economic activity
(GDP) by managing government expenditure (G), which includes purchases of goods and
services.
7. Indirect Influence: Indirectly, governments affect private consumption (C), investment
(I), and net exports (NX) by altering tax rates, transfer payments, and public expenditure.
8. Stabilizing the Economy:
By strategically using fiscal tools, governments aim to stabilize the economy by
moderating fluctuations in aggregate demand.
For instance, during economic downturns, increased government spending can
stimulate demand, supporting overall economic activity.
TYPES OF FISCAL POLICY

1. Introduction to Fiscal Policy Adjustments: Fiscal policy involves intentional adjustments
in government revenues, expenditures, and public debt to address economic challenges
such as unemployment during a recession and achieve price stability during inflation.
2. Contra Cyclical Fiscal Policy: Contra cyclical fiscal policy aims to correct business-cycle
instability and comes in two basic types: expansionary fiscal policy and contractionary
fiscal policy.
(a) Expansionary Fiscal Policy:
¾ Objective: Stimulate the economy during a contractionary phase or an anticipated
contraction in the business cycle.
¾ Indicators: Occurs during a recession marked by falling real GDP, low aggregate
demand, reduced consumer spending, and rising unemployment.
¾ Measures:
z Tax Cuts: Reduce all types of taxes (direct and indirect) to boost purchasing
power and increase demand for goods and services.
z Government Expenditure Increase: Pump money into the economy to raise
aggregate demand, output, and employment.
z Combination Approach: Often involves a mix of increased government spending
and decreased personal or business taxes.
¾ Budget Impact: May lead to budget deficits as tax cuts reduce government income
while expenditures exceed tax revenues.
(b) Contractionary Fiscal Policy:
¾ Objective: Restrain economic activity during an inflationary phase or in anticipation
of business-cycle expansion likely to induce inflation.
¾ Indicators: Implemented when the economy experiences high growth rates, leading
to inflation and asset bubbles.
¾ Measures:
z Decrease in Government Spending: Reduce total money available in the economy,
lowering aggregate demand.

z Increase in Taxes: Raise personal or business taxes to reduce disposable incomes,
curbing consumption spending and aggregate demand.
z Combination Approach: Involves both reduced government spending and
increased taxes.
¾ Budget Impact: Ideally results in a smaller budget deficit or a larger budget surplus.
3. Fiscal Policy and Economic Conditions:

Fiscal policy aims to:
¾ Control excessive aggregate spending during inflation.
¾ Compensate for deficient effective demand during deflation or sluggish economic
activity.
4. Instruments of Fiscal Policy:
(a) Government Expenditure:
¾ Role: An essential instrument influencing consumption and investment to achieve
full employment.
¾ Categories: Includes current expenditures, capital expenditures, and transfer
payments.
¾ Impact during Recession: Increased public works and infrastructure projects
stimulate employment and economic activity.
(b) Taxes:
¾ Role: Most significant revenue source for governments, used to establish economic
stability.
¾ During Recession: Income tax reduction and low corporate taxes encourage
consumption and investment.
¾ During Inflation: New taxes and increased tax rates reduce disposable incomes to
control inflationary gaps.
(c) Public Debt:
¾ Types: Internal (borrowing from own people) and external (borrowing from outside
sources).
¾ Forms: Market loans (treasury bills, government securities) and small savings (non-
negotiable, not traded).
¾ Impact: Borrowing curtails aggregate demand, debt repayment increases money
availability, boosting aggregate demand.
(d) Budget:
¾ Types: Balanced, surplus, deficit.
¾ Impact: Balanced budgets have no net effect on aggregate demand; surpluses may
have negative effects, deficits positive effects.
¾ Role: Deliberate changes in revenue and expenditure components influence economic
variables like growth, inflation, unemployment, and external stability.
Public Finance 391

TRY YOUR UNDERSTANDING
1. Fiscal policy refers to
(a) Use of government spending, taxation and borrowing to influence the level of economic
activity
(b) Government activities related to use of government spending for supply of essential
goods
(c) Use of government spending, taxation and borrowing for reducing the fiscal deficits
2. During recession fiscal policy of the government should be directed towards
(a) Increasing the taxes and reducing the aggregate demand
(b) Decreasing taxes to ensure higher disposable income
(c) Increasing government expenditure and increasing taxes
3. Name the policy that accords with expenditure and taxation policies decisions of the
government?
(a) Monetary Policy (b) Fiscal Policy
(c) Labor Market Policies (d) Trade Policy
4. Which one among the following is a tool of Fiscal Policy?
(a) Government Research (b) Election
(c) Taxation (d) None of the above
Answer Key
1. (a) 2. (b) 3. (b) 4. (?)
FISCAL POLICY FOR LONG-RUN ECONOMIC GROWTH

1. Introduction: Fiscal policy has been discussed mainly in the context of managing short-
term aggregate demand. However, for sustained development, long-run economic growth
is crucial. Fiscal policies need to extend beyond demand-side measures to stimulate
aggregate supply for sustainable growth.
2. Incentive Effects of Fiscal Policy:
Infrastructure Spending: Positive supply-side effects occur when governments invest
in infrastructure, providing necessary overheads for private sector development.
Public Goods Provision: Government investment in public goods like education,
healthcare, and research fosters long-run growth by enhancing human capital
formation, making physical capital more productive.
Tax Impacts: Tax policies can influence economic growth positively or negatively,
depending on their impact on saving and investment.
Well-Designed Tax Policies: Reward innovation and entrepreneurship without
discouraging incentives, promoting private business investments.
Example: Corporate tax increases may hinder incentives and output.

3. Market Failure Correction:
Taxes and Subsidies: Effective use of taxes and spending policies can correct market
failures resulting from externalities.
Environment Taxes: Increase firm costs, reducing output.
Subsidies: Boost output, e.g., subsidies for farmers.
FISCAL POLICY FOR REDUCTION IN INEQUALITIES OF

INCOME AND WEALTH
1. Introduction: Fiscal policy serves as a chief instrument for governments to influence
income distribution and address rising inequality in developed and developing economies.
2. Direct and Indirect Income Distribution Measures:
Progressive Direct Tax System: Ensures those with greater ability to pay contribute
more fairly, distributing the tax burden equitably.
Differential Indirect Taxes: Tax luxury goods heavily (consumed by the rich) and
necessities lightly or not at all (consumed by the poor).
3. Redistribution through Public Expenditure:
Carefully Planned Expenditure: Redistributes income from the rich to the poorer
sections through targeted spending programs.
Examples: Poverty alleviation programs, subsidized healthcare, education, and housing,
infrastructure for disadvantaged areas, social security schemes.
4. Challenges in Designing Tax Structure:
Progressive Tax System Challenges: Must be carefully framed to avoid deterring work,
saving, and investment.
Redistributive Policy Challenges: Overly generous social programs may reduce incentives
to work and save.
LIMITATIONS OF FISCAL POLICY

1. Lag Issues:
Recognition Lag: Difficulty in recognizing the need for a policy change due to complex
economic variables and data collection challenges.
Decision Lag: Delays in evaluating alternative policies once the need for intervention
is recognized.
Implementation Lag: Bureaucratic delays in enacting and implementing chosen policies.
Impact Lag: Outcomes of a policy may not be visible immediately.
2. Timing Challenges:
Badly Timed Policies: Fiscal policy changes may be poorly timed, initiated when the
economy is already recovering or vice versa.
3. Implementation Difficulties:
Instant Policy Changes: Challenges in instantly changing government spending and
taxation policies.
Public Finance 393
Unalterable Expenditures: Difficulties in reducing spending on items like defense and
ongoing capital projects.
4. Supply-Side Concerns:
Disincentives: Certain fiscal measures may create disincentives, such as increased
profits tax affecting investment incentives.
5. Deficit Financing Issues:
Purchasing Power Increase: Deficit financing may increase purchasing power faster
than production can catch up, leading to uncontrollable inflation.
6. Borrowing and Debt Challenges:
Burden on Future Generations: Government borrowing creates a burden on future
generations if debts are not productively utilized.
Interest Rate Impact: Competition for borrowing may raise interest rates, reducing
private sector investment and borrowing.
CROWDING OUT
1. Introduction:
Discussing the secondary effects of fiscal policy on the economy, particularly the
concept of crowding out.
Some economists argue that government spending might substitute private spending,
potentially diminishing the impact of government spending on aggregate demand.
2. Expansionary Fiscal Policy and Budget Deficit:
During a recession, the government implements an expansionary fiscal policy by
increasing spending and/or reducing taxes.
This leads to a budget deficit as government expenditure rises while income decreases.
The deficit is financed by government borrowing from the credit market through
the issuance of long-term, interest-bearing bonds.
3. Crowding Out Effect:
Definition: Substantial government borrowing in the credit market can reduce available
funds and drive interest rates up.
Impact: Higher interest rates can slow down business investment and consumption
expenditures sensitive to interest rates.
Result: Private spending is crowded out when government spending replaces it.
Effectiveness Diminished: The effectiveness of expansionary fiscal policy in stimulating
aggregate demand is diminished as a result.
4. Crowding Out and Economic Growth:
Long-Run Impact: Crowding out may reduce the economy’s prospects for long-run
economic growth.
Interest Rate Influence: Government borrowing increasing interest rates may
discourage private sector investments.

5. Exceptions During Recessions:
Less Likely Crowding Out: In deep recessions, crowding out is less likely as private
sector investment is already minimal.
Borrowing in Recessions: During a recession, the government may borrow from the
market without significantly increasing interest rates.
CONCLUSION
1. Necessity of Well-Designed Fiscal Responses: Well-designed and timely fiscal responses
are crucial for managing different economic stages, be it recession, inflation, economic
growth, or income distribution.
2. Impact during Recession and Full Employment:
Recessionary Phase: In times of recession, increasing aggregate demand can boost
total output without causing price changes.
Full Employment: In a fully employed economy, an expansionary fiscal policy may
pressure prices to rise without impacting total output.
3. Fiscal Policy for Economic Growth and Equality:
Potent Instrument: Fiscal policy serves as a potent instrument for fostering economic
growth and achieving a more equitable distribution of income.
In conclusion, crowding out highlights the potential limitations of expansionary fiscal policy,
especially when substantial government borrowing influences interest rates and hinders
private sector spending. Well-designed fiscal policies remain essential for navigating economic
challenges and promoting long-term growth and income equality.
EXERCISE
1. Fiscal policy refers to the
(a) Use of government spending, taxation and borrowing to influence the level of economic
activity
(b) Government activities related to use of government spending for supply of essential
goods
(c) Use of government spending, taxation and borrowing for reducing the fiscal deficits
2. If real GOP is continuously declining and the rate of unemployment in the economy is
increasing, the appropriate policy should be to
(a) Increase taxes and decrease government spending
(b) Decrease both taxes and government spending
(c) Decrease taxes and increase government spending
(d) Either (a) or (c)
3. Which of the following are likely to occur when an economy is in an expansionary phase
of a business cycle?
Public Finance 395

(A) Rising unemployment rate (E) Falling or stagnant wage for workers
(B) Falling unemployment rate (F) Increasing tax revenue
(C) Rising inflation rate (G) Falling tax revenue
(D) Deflation
(a) A, B and F are most likely to occur
(b) B, C and F are most likely to occur
(c) 0, E and F are most likely to occur
(d) A, E and G are most likely to occur
4. During recession the fiscal policy of the government should be directed towards
(a) Increasing the taxes and reducing the aggregate demand
(b) Decreasing taxes to ensure higher disposable income
(c) Increasing government expenditure and increasing taxes
5. According to Keynesian economics, when we have inflation an effective fiscal policy should
not include
(a) Increase corporate taxes. (b) Decrease aggregate demand.
(c) Increase government purchases. (d) None of the above is correct
6. Keynesian economists believe that
(a) Fiscal policy can have very powerful effects in altering aggregate demand, employment
and output in an economy
(b) When the economy is operating at less than full employment levels and when there
is a need to offer stimulus to demand fiscal policy is of great use
(c) Wages are flexible and therefore business fluctuations would be automatically adjusted
7. Which of the following may ensure a decrease in aggregate demand during inflation?
(a) Decrease in all types of government spending and/ or an increase in taxes
(b) Increase in government spending and/ or a decrease in taxes
(c) Decrease in government spending and/ or a decrease in taxes
(d) All the above
8. A recession is characterized by
(a) Declining prices and rising employment
(b) Declining unemployment and rising prices
(c) Declining real income and rising unemployment.
(d) Rising real income and rising prices
9. Which one of the following is an example of fiscal policy?
(a) A tax cut aimed at increasing the disposable income and spending
(b) A reduction in government expenditure to contain inflation
(c) An increase in taxes and decrease in government expenditure to control inflation
(d) All the above
10. Which of the following would illustrate a recognition lag?
(a) The time required to identify the appropriate policy
(b) The time required to identify to pass a legislation
(c) The time required to identify the need for a policy change
(d) The time required to establish the outcomes of fiscal policy
11. An expansionary fiscal policy, taking everything else constant, would in the short-run
have the effect of
(a) A relative large increase in GOP and a smaller increase in price
(b) A relative large increase in price, a relatively smaller increase in GOP
(c) Both GOP and price will be increasing in the same proportion
(d) Both GOP and price will be increasing in a smaller proportion
12. Which statement (s) is (are) correct about crowding out?
I. A decline in private spending may be partially or completely offset by the expansion
of demand resulting from an increase in government expenditure.
II. Crowding out effect is the negative effect fiscal policy may generate when money
from the private sector is 'crowded out' to the public sector
III. When spending by government in an economy increases government spending would
be crowded out.
IV. Private investments, especially the ones which are interest - sensitive, will be reduced
if interest rates rise due to increased spending by government
(a) I and III only (b) I, II, and III
(c) I, II, and IV (d) Ill only
13. Which of the following policies is likely to shift an economy's aggregate demand curve to
the right?
(a) Increase in government spending
(b) Decrease in taxes
(c) A tax cut along with increase in public expenditure
(d) All the above
14. Identify the incorrect statement
(a) A progressive direct tax system ensures economic growth with stability because it
distributes the burden of taxes unequally
(b) A carefully planned policy of public expenditure helps in redistributing income from
the rich to the poorer sections of the society.
(c) There are possible conflicts between different objectives of fiscal policy such that a
policy designed to achieve one goal may adversely affect another
(d) An increase in the size of government spending during recessions may possibly 'crowd-
out' private spending in on economy.
I. Fiscal policy is said to be contractionary when revenue is higher than spending i.e.,
the government budget is in surplus
Public Finance 397

II. Other things constant, a fiscal expansion will raise interest rates and "crowd out"
some private investment
Ill. During inflation new taxes can be levied and the rates of existing taxes are raised to
reduce disposable incomes
IV. Classical economists advocated contractionary fiscal policy to solve the problem of
inflation
Of the above statements
(a) I and II are correct (b) I, II and Ill are correct
(c) Only Ill is correct (d) All are correct
16. While resorting to expansionary fiscal policy
(a) The government may possibly have a budget surplus as increased expenditure will
bring more output and more tax revenue
(b) The government may run into budget deficits because tax cuts reduce government
income and the government expenditures exceed tax revenues in a given year
(c) It is important to have a balanced budget to avoid inflation and bring in stability
(d) None of the above will happen
17. Contractionary fiscal policy
(a) Is resorted to when government expenditure is greater than tax revenues of any
particular year
(b) Increase the aggregate demand to sustain the economy
(c) To increase the disposable income of people through tax cuts and to enable greater
demand
(d) Is designed to restrain the levels of economic activity of the economy during an
inflationary phase
18. When government spending is deliberately reduced to bring in stability
(a) The government is resorting to contractionary fiscal policy
(b) The government is resorting to expansionary fiscal policy
(c) Trying to limit aggregate demand to sustainable levels
(d) (a) and (c) above
19. An increase in personal income taxes
(a) Reduces disposable incomes leading to fall in consumption spending and aggregate
demand
(b) Is desirable during inflation or when there is excessive levels of aggregate demand
(c) Is to compensate the deficiency in effective demand by boosting aggregate spending
(d) Both (a) and (b) are correct
20. While the government resorts to deliberate fiscal policy it may not attempt to manipulate
(a) Government expenditures on public works
(b) The rates of personal income taxes and corporate taxes
(c) Government expenditures on goods and services purchased by government
(d) The rate of interest prevailing in the economy

21. Which of the following fiscal remedy would you advice when an economy is facing recession
(a) The government may cut interest rates to encourage consumption and investment
(b) The government may cut taxes to increase aggregate demand
(c) The government may follow a policy of balanced the budget.
(d) None of the above will work
22. While if governments compete with the private sector to borrow money for securing
resources for expansionary fiscal policy
(a) It is likely that interest rates will go up and firms may not be willing to invest
(b) It is likely that interest rates will go up and the individuals too may be reluctant to
borrow and spend
(c) It is likely that interest rates will go up and the desired increase in aggregate demand
may not be realized
(d) All the above are possible.
Answer Key
1. (a) 2. (c) 3. (b) 4. (b) 5. (c) 6. (d) 7. (a) 8. (c) 9. (d) 10. (c)
11. (a) 12. (c) 13. (d) 14. (a) 15. (b) 16. (b) 17. (d) 18. (d) 19. (d) 20. (d)
21. (b) 22. (d)

Public Finance 399

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CHAPTER

Allocation Redistribution Stabilization

THE ROLE OF GOVERNMENT IN AN ECONOMIC SYSTEM

ADAM SMITH’S PERSPECTIVE

GOVERNMENT’S EVOLVING ROLE

RICHARD MUSGRAVE’S THREE-BRANCH TAXONOMY

GOVERNMENT’S ECONOMIC POLICY

346 Business Economics PW

EXAMPLES OF GOVERNMENT INTERVENTION

Public Finance 347

RESOURCE ALLOCATION IN GOVERNMENT POLICY

THE REDISTRIBUTION FUNCTION IN GOVERNMENT ECONOMICS

DISTRIBUTION FUNCTION OF THE GOVERNMENT

AIMS OF THE DISTRIBUTION FUNCTION

EXAMPLES OF REDISTRIBUTION FUNCTION

TRADE-OFF BETWEEN EFFICIENCY AND EQUITY

THE STABILIZATION FUNCTION IN GOVERNMENT ECONOMICS

Public Finance 349

CHALLENGES IN MACROECONOMIC STABILITY

KEY AREAS OF CONCERN IN STABILIZATION

ROLE OF FISCAL AND MONETARY POLICY

BUDGET SURPLUSES AND DEFICITS

CONFLICTS IN POLICY GOALS

350 Business Economics PW

TRY YOUR UNDERSTANDING 7.1.1

Public Finance 351

INDIA’S FEDERAL STRUCTURE

CONSTITUTIONAL DIVISION OF POWERS

REVENUE AND EXPENDITURE ALLOCATION

CENTRAL GOVERNMENT TAXES

STATE GOVERNMENT TAXES

352 Business Economics PW

Article275 Statutory Grants-in-aid from the union to certain states.

Article 282 Grants for any public purpose.

Article 293 Loans for any public purpose.

CENTRE AND STATE FINANCE AND

354 Business Economics PW

TRY YOUR UNDERSTANDING 7.1.2

Public Finance 355

356 Business Economics PW

THE CONCEPT OF MARKET FAILURE

TRY YOUR UNDERSTANDING 7.2.1

Public Finance 359

360 Business Economics PW

NEGATIVE CONSUMPTION EXTERNALITIES

POSITIVE CONSUMPTION EXTERNALITIES

IMPACT OF EXTERNALITIES ON EFFICIENCY AND

PRIVATE GOODS VS. PUBLIC GOODS

FREE RIDER PROBLEM

MARKET FAILURE IN PUBLIC GOODS

362 Business Economics PW

TRY YOUR UNDERSTANDING 7.2.2

Public Finance 363

THE "LEMONS PROBLEM" IN THE USED CAR MARKET

364 Business Economics PW

MORAL HAZARD IN INSURANCE MARKETS

Public Finance 365

GOVERNMENT INTERVENTION TO ADDRESS MARKET FAILURES

GOVERNMENT INTERVENTION TO MINIMIZE MARKET POWER