DOCSLIB.ORG

Fourteenth Finance Commission

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
Fourteenth Finance Commission Fourteenth Finance Commission Y Venugopal Reddy Finance Commission - Concepts and definitions Tax Devolution One of the core tasks of a Finance Commission as stipulated in Article 280 (3) (a) of the Constitution is to make recommendations regarding the distribution between the Union and the states of the net proceeds of taxes. This is the most important task of any Finance Commission, as the share of states in the net proceeds of Union taxes is the predominant channel of resource transfer from the Centre to states. Divisible Pool The divisible pool is that portion of gross tax revenue which is distributed between the Centre and the States. The divisible pool consists of all taxes, except surcharges and cess levied for specific purpose, net of collection charges. Cntd. Fiscal capacity/Income distance The income distance criterion was first used by Twelfth FC, measured by per capita GSDP as a proxy for the distance between states in tax capacity. When so proxied, the procedure implicitly applies a single average tax-toGSDP ratio to determine fiscal capacity distance between states. The Thirteenth FC changed the formula slightly and recommended the use of separate averages for measuring tax capacity, one for general category states (GCS) and another for special category states (SCS). Fiscal discipline Fiscal discipline as a criterion for tax devolution was used by Eleventh and Twelfth FC to provide an incentive to states managing their finances prudently. The criterion was continued in the Thirteenth FC as well without any change. The index of fiscal discipline is arrived at by comparing improvements in the ratio of own revenue receipts of a state to its total revenue expenditure relative to the corresponding average across all states. Special Category States (SCS) and General Category States (GCS) • The concept of a special category state was first introduced in 1969 when the Fifth Finance Commission sought to provide certain disadvantaged states with preferential treatment in the form of central assistance and tax breaks. Initially three states Assam, Nagaland and Jammu & Kashmir were granted special status but since then eight more have been included (Arunachal Pradesh, Himachal Pradesh, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Sikkim, Tripura and Uttarakhand). All other states barring these are treated as General Category States. • The rationale for special status is that these states, because of inherent features, have a low resource base and cannot mobilize resources for development. Some of the features required for special status are: (i) hilly and difficult terrain; (ii) low population density or sizeable share of tribal population; (iii) strategic location along borders with neighbouring countries; (iv) economic and infrastructural backwardness; and (v) non-viable nature of state finances. Finance Commission & It’s Mandate • The Finance Commission is a Constitutional body formulated under Article 280 of the Indian Constitution. It is constituted every five years by the President of India to review the state of finances of the Union and the States and suggest measures for maintaining a stable and sustainable fiscal environment. The core mandate of the finance commission relates to: • (a) proceeds of taxes to be divided between union and the states, usually referred to as the “vertical balance;” • (b) the allocation of distribution of taxes among the states, usually referred to as the horizontal balance; • (c) the principles which should govern the grants-in-aid to states by the finance commission, which are over and above the devolution of taxes as per a formula; and • (d) measures to augment the consolidated fund of a state to supplement the transfer of resources to panchayats and municipalities, based on the recommendations of the respective state finance commissions, usually referred to as finance commission grants to local bodies. The Fourteenth Finance Commission(FFC) was appointed on 2ndJanuary, 2013under the chairmanship of Dr. Y. V. Reddy. The core mandate of the FFC remained broadly no different from the previous commissions but exhibited two striking aspects: 1. First, as in some though not all previous finance commissions, there was no specific mention of the treatment of gross budgetary support to the plan as a committed liability of the union government. The ToR also did not bind the FFC to look at only non-plan revenue expenditure of the states. The absence of such a reference created an opening to the FFC, if it so desired, to dispense with the distinction between plan and nonplan. Unlike many of its predecessors, the FFC was emboldened to pursue this idea. 2. Second, in the past, the ToR required the commissions to take the base of population fi gures of 1971 in all cases where population was a factor. Our ToR indicated that, in addition, we may also take into account the demographic changes that have taken place since 1971. The FFC took advantage of this opening to take into account both the 1971 population and 2011 population, while reluctantly giving higher weight to the 1971 population. •Thethe assessment Context of finances of the union and states, as well as the projections, took account of the prevailing environment relevant to the FFC’s work. • The FFC took cognisance of the changing balances and the new realities of the macroeconomic management and made an effort to place the prevailing fiscal situation and the evolving relationship between the union and the states in the broader context as well. • Finance commissions adopts a comprehensive approach to holistically deliver it’s tasks: First, a demonstrably symmetric view of the union finances, state finances and their fi scal relations was attempted. Second, an integrated view of revenue expenditure with no distinction between plan and non- plan, and a comprehensive view of revenue and capital expenditures, including public debt were attempted. Third, the special responsibilities of the union in macroeconomic management and its relationship with the global economy had to be explicitly recognised. Fourth, a comprehensive view of the transfer from the union to the states, both within and outside the recommendations of the finance commission, was necessary to address the fundamental issues relating to the constitutional assignment, plans and centrally- sponsored schemes (CSS). Fifth, the predominant role of the states, in particular, the state finance commissions, in empowering local bodies had to be re cognised. • Finally, the FFC examined the issue of separate treatment of the special category states. Review of Fiscal Positions • The fiscal position of all states taken together has shown significant improvement during the review period, both in terms of quantity and quality. In fact, many states had not fully utilised the fiscal space available to them to incur capital expenditure within the fiscal targets prescribed by the Thirteenth Finance Commission. • the record of fiscal management by states as a whole reinforced the soundness of recommendations of the Twelfth and Thirteenth Finance Commissions relating to fiscal responsibility. The FFC recognised that the process of fiscal consolidation in the union should ideally be accompanied by prudent fiscal expansion at the level of states. Intergovernmental Transfers • within the overall fiscal trend in the country, there has been a greater expansion in the fiscal activity of the union than of the states. In particular, the transfers from the union to the states have increased substantially. • Moreover, overall transfers, namely, Finance Commission transfers and other transfers put together, far exceeded the indicative ceiling prescribed by the previous commissions. Within the transfers, discretionary components had increased in the review period, undermining the role of the finance commissions. • FFC concluded that the burden of fiscal consolidation rests heavily on the union government, in view of the initial conditions and its importance. In such a situation, the FFC concluded that it was not possible to increase the level of aggregate transfers from the • union to the states. The focus, therefore, was to concentrate on the composition and the quality of the aggregate transfers from the union to the states. Union Finances • the FFC followed the practice of assessment of union fi nances that was done by earlier fi nance commissions, but, in addition, the FFC considered the magnitudes, legitimacy and appropriateness of union transfers to states outside the mechanism of the fi nance commissions, keeping in view the Constitutional provisions. A major challenge in this regard was the enacted legal commitment and expenditures on ongoing schemes that fell under the Concurrent List and were being funded by both the union and the states. Several internal exercises on these matters were undertaken to obtain insights relevant to the assessment of respective needs of the union and states. State Finances In regard to assessment of the own tax revenues of states, the FFC considered aggregate own tax revenue as a single category, following the methodology adopted by the preceding three finance commissions. In making the projections, a two-step methodology was followed. The first step involved reassessment of the base year 2014–15. The second step involved application of normative growth rates for the projections. For states with an above average tax–GSDP ratio, the assumed own tax buoyancy was 1.05 implying a moderate increase, and for others, a higher buoyancy of 1.5 till it reaches the target tax–GSDP ratio. This resulted in an improvement in the terminal year. The assessment of own non-tax revenues was made in terms of major items of non-tax revenue separately for each state, consistent with past practice. The FFC also did not consider any proposal for debt-restructuring on the ground that it would be a good practice for governments to honour their debt obligations. The FFC also accepted the pension expenditure for the base year provided by the states and assessed this expenditure in a manner that refl ects true pension liabilities for the assessment period. The FFC also attempted to address the goal of equalisation of expenditures across the states in terms of per capita expenditures.
Load more

Recommended publications
  • Twelfth Finance Commission (2005-10)
    Report of the TWELFTH FINANCE COMMISSION (2005-10) November, 2004 Report of the TWELFTH FINANCE COMMISSION (2005-10) November, 2004 Chapter 1 Introduction Appointment of the Twelfth Finance part-time member with effect from 1st July Commission 2004. The relevant notifications are at 1.1 The appointment of a finance annexures 1.1, 1.2 and 1.3. commission by the President is provided for 1.2 The Commission was originally asked under article 280 of the Constitution of to make its report available by the 31st July India. The first such commission was 2004 covering a period of five years constituted on November 19, 1951. The commencing on the 1st April 2005. eleven finance commissions, which have Subsequently, due to disruption of normal preceded the present one, have, through activities on account of preponement of their recommendations, given a definitive parliamentary election, the President, shape to fiscal federalism in our country. through his order dated 1st July 2004, The present finance commission, which is extended the tenure of the Commission up the twelfth, was appointed by the President to 31st December 2004, but required the of India on 1st November, 2002 under the report to be made available by chairmanship of Dr. C. Rangarajan, the then 30th November 2004 (notification at Governor of Andhra Pradesh. The President annexure 1.4). also appointed two full-time members, namely, Shri T. R. Prasad, IAS (retd.), Terms of Reference (TOR) former Cabinet Secretary, Government of 1.3 The President vide the notification India and Prof. D. K. Srivastava of National dated 1st November, 2002 (annexure 1.1) Institute of Public Finance & Policy mandated the Commission to do the (NIPFP) and one part-time member, namely, following: Shri Som Pal, Member, Planning Commission.
    [Show full text]
  • Fifth Delhi Finance Commission 2016-2021
    Fifth Delhi Finance Commission 2016-2021 Report October 2017 Contents Glossary v List of Annexures viii Chapter 1: Summary of Major Recommendations 1 Chapter 2: Introduction 19 Chapter 3: Issues and Approach 25 Chapter 4: Recommendations of Previous Finance Commissions 39 Chapter 5: Finances of Government of Delhi 53 Chapter 6: Receipts of the Municipalities 87 Chapter 7: Expenditure of the Municipalities 169 Chapter 8: Debt Liabilities of the Municipalities 251 Chapter 9: Assessment of the Finances of the Municipalities and Scheme of Devolution 257 Chapter 10: Accountability, Audit and Oversight 283 Chapter 11: Governance Reforms and Capacity Enhancement 293 Chapter 12: Best Practices of the Municipalities 307 Annexures 315 References 375 iii GLOSSARY AAI Airports Authority of India CGST Central Goods & Services Tax ABAS Accrual Based Accounting System CNG Compressed Natural Gas ACA Additional Central Assistance CPC Central Pay Commission AGR Annual Growth Rate CPI Consumer Price Index AIILSG All India Institute of Local Self Government CPSUs Central Public Sector Undertakings AMRUT Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban CR Cycle Rickshaw Transformation CRF Central Road Fund ANM Auxiliary Nurse cum Midwife CSE Conservancy and Sanitation Engineer Annex Annexure CSO Central Statistics Office ARD Administrative Reforms Department CST Central Sales Tax ARMA Auto Regressive Moving Average CTC Community Toilet Complex ARV Annual Rental Value DCA Deputy Controller of Accounts ASHA Accredited Social Health Activist DCB Delhi Cantonment Board
    [Show full text]
  • JOURNAL of INDIAN SCHOOL of POLITICAL ECONOMY Editor: N
    INDIAN JOURNAL OF AGRICULTURAL ECONOMICS JOURNAL OF INDIAN SCHOOL OF POLITICAL ECONOMY Editor: N. Rath JOURNAL OF INDIAN SCHOOL OF POLITICAL ECONOMY is devoted to a study of the Indian Economy,Polity and Society. Emphasis is primarily on reviewing developments since -:ndependence with roots in the British admin- istration where relevant. However, papers with a similar focus but not necessarily reviewing developments since Independence will also be considered. When a review is based on statistical data,full statistical base data are presented as far as possible. Vol. XII January-March 2000 • Where Reforms Do Not Reach: Rural Poor in The Vicinity Of Bangalore V.M. Rao Macroeconomic Performance and Tax Revenue - The Case of Gujarat State Archalia R. Dholalda & Ravindra II. Dholakia Gross Domestic Product and Regional Disparities in Development in India V.M. Dandekar Documentation: Methods of Estimation of States' Tax Revenue by Different Finance Commissions 1. Report of the Tenth Finance Commission, 1994, Chapter III. 2. Second Reportof the Ninth Finance Commission,1988, Chapter III and Appendix 4. 3. Report of the Eighth Finance Commission, 1984, Chapter III. 4. Report of the Seventh Finance Commission, 1978, Chapter 2. S. Report of the Sixth Finance Commission, 1973, Chapter IX. 6. Report of the Fifth Finance Commission, 1969, Chapter 2. Review Article: BJP's Hindu Nationalism: A Case of Regression Vasant Palshikar * Book Reviews ** Books Received Annual Subscription Rates New annual subscription rates effective from 1st January, 1999 India Other Countries (Rs) (US $) For institutions other than colleges 600.00 80.00 1 For individuals and colleges 300.00 40.00 Payments should be made by Demand Draft, payable to Indian School ofPolitical Economy,Pune, drawn on any bank in Pune.
    [Show full text]
  • Report of the Committee on Priceing of Irrigation Water
    Report of the Committee on Pricing of Irrigation Water Planning Commission Government of India New Delhi September, 1992 (i) CONTENTS Page No. Executive Summary i 1. Introduction 1 Appointment of the Committee 1 Composition 5 Terms of reference 8 Scope and methodology 9 Scheme of report 12 Acknowledgements 14 2. Financial Performance of Public Irrigation Systems 17 Historical background 17 Water rates : The present position 25 Main features of water rates 25 Basis underlying existing rates 28 Changes in water rates 37 Financial performance of irrigation projects 40 Unrecovered costs 49 Need for proper management accounts 53 3. Pricing of Irrigation: Approach and Principle 58 (ii) General considerations 58 Case for upward revision of rates 61 Towards full cost recovery 63 Need to improve quality of service 66 Pricing of domestic and industrial use 67 Relevance of productivity for determination of irrigation rates 70 Cost recovery as the basis for rates 72 Assessment of costs 73 Operation and maintenance 73 Capital-related charges 74 Categorisation of projects 76 Avoiding complexities 78 Basis of levy : area vs. volume 79 Treatment of wells in canal commands 81 The necessity for volumetric pricing 82 Pre-conditions for volumetric pricing 85 Phase I - rationalisation of crop-based rates 86 Phase II - switch to group-based volumetric assessment 88 Phase III - system improvement 91 4. Operation and Maintenance 92 Introductory 92 (iii) Need to improve accounting of O&M 93 Eventual goal: self-financing system 95 Inadequacy of allocations for
    [Show full text]
  • By Planning Commission
    Report of the Committee on Pricing of Irrigation Water Planning Commission Government of India New Delhi September, 1992 (i) CONTENTS Page No. Executive Summary i 1. Introduction 1 Appointment of the Committee 1 Composition 5 Terms of reference 8 Scope and methodology 9 Scheme of report 12 Acknowledgements 14 2. Financial Performance of Public Irrigation Systems 17 Historical background 17 Water rates : The present position 25 Main features of water rates 25 Basis underlying existing rates 28 Changes in water rates 37 Financial performance of irrigation projects 40 Unrecovered costs 49 Need for proper management accounts 53 3. Pricing of Irrigation: Approach and Principle 58 (ii) General considerations 58 Case for upward revision of rates 61 Towards full cost recovery 63 Need to improve quality of service 66 Pricing of domestic and industrial use 67 Relevance of productivity for determination of irrigation rates 70 Cost recovery as the basis for rates 72 Assessment of costs 73 Operation and maintenance 73 Capital-related charges 74 Categorisation of projects 76 Avoiding complexities 78 Basis of levy : area vs. volume 79 Treatment of wells in canal commands 81 The necessity for volumetric pricing 82 Pre-conditions for volumetric pricing 85 Phase I - rationalisation of crop-based rates 86 Phase II - switch to group-based volumetric assessment 88 Phase III - system improvement 91 4. Operation and Maintenance 92 Introductory 92 (iii) Need to improve accounting of O&M 93 Eventual goal: self-financing system 95 Inadequacy of allocations for
    [Show full text]
  • 89 Re Constitution of Special Cell [ 12 MAY 1972 ] in the Planning Commission 90 5. Consideration and Passing of .2 Hrs the D
    89 Re Constitution of Special cell [ 12 MAY 1972 ] in the Planning Commission 90 5. Consideration and passing of .2 hrs the Delhi incidents 'hat were happening for the last few Cooperative Societies Bill, 1972, as passed by years in thai particular State. Now that stage is ihe Lok Sabha. over in the Slate and peace stability have come back and I think this particular stage or The Committee recommended that the situation will coniinue. Even then there is no House should sil up to 6.00 P. M. daily and gainsaying the fact that the turmoil which was beyond 6.00 P. M. as and when necessary for prevailing for the last few years has di l'.nilely the transaction of Government business. drawn the attention of the wisest men ol the country. But specific and careful attention to the problems of development of I lie Sta'e RESOLUTION RE CONSTITUTION should now be given without any hesitation or OF SPECIAL CELL IN THE delay. I hope my Resolution will be accepted PLANNING COMMISSION FOR WEST not only by the hon. Members, but I also BENGAL believe that the government will accept it SARDAR AMJAD ALI (West Bengal) : inasmuch as it says about opening of a special Sir, I beg to move : c. 11 in the Planning Commission for West Bengal. Whenever the State of West Bengal has In view of the present political, social and come in for discussion here, the exuberance that econcmic condition of the State of West was shown by the youth of that part of the Bengal, this House is of opinion that the country was ruthlessly criticised.
    [Show full text]
  • Second Report the Ninth Finance Commission
    SECOND REPORT OF THE NINTH FINANCE COMMISSION (FOR 1990-95) H O R A R Y & documentation c e n t r e National of Educatioaal PUon.r,; and Administration. 17-B f* Aurobiudo Mar*» Ne« t,«lbi-llt0l6 d o c , No ...... CONTENTS CHAPTER PAGE I. Introduction 1 II. The Approach Of The Commission For The Period 1990-95. 3 - 6 III. Assessment Of States’ Revenue Receipts And Expenditures. 7-14 IV. Reassessment Of The Forecast Of The Central Government. 15-17 V. Devolution Of Taxes, Distribution Of Additional Excise Duties And Grant In Lieu Of Tax On Railway Passenger Fares. 18-22 VI. Financing Of Relief Expenditure. 23-26 VII. Grants-ln-Aid. 27 - 32 VIII. Merger Of Additional Duties Of Excise With Basic Duties Of Excise. 33-34 IX. Debt Position Of The States And Corrective Measures. 35 - 39 X. Concluding Observations. 40 - 42 XI. Summary Of Important Recommendations And Observations. 43-46 1. Note Of Dissent And General Observations By Shri Justice A. S. Qureshi, (Member). 47 - 56 2. Note By Majority. 57 3. Note By Shri N. K. P. Salve, Chairman, Dr. Raja J. Chelliah, Member And Shri R. Keishing, Member. 57 ANNL^Vhtf. 61 -9 1 APPF 95-133 CHAPTER I INTRODUCTION 1.1 This Finance Commission, the ninth since the 5. The Commission may suggest changes, if any, to be commencement of the Constitution, was constituted by the made in the principles governing the distribution among the President by his Order (SO No.581 (E) dated the 17th June, 1987), States of - which is reproduced below:- (a) the net proceeds in any financial year of the ”ln pursuance of the provisions of article 280 of the additional duties of excise leviable under the Constitution of India, and of the Finance Commission Additional Duties of Excise (Goods of Special (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act, 1951 (33 of 1951), the Importance) Act, 1957 (58 of 1957), and President is pleased to constitute a Finance Commission consisting of Shri N.K.P.
    [Show full text]
  • UNIT V FISCAL POLICY MEANING of FISCAL POLICY Fiscal Policy Is
    UNIT V FISCAL POLICY MEANING OF FISCAL POLICY Fiscal policy is policy under which the government uses its expenditure and revenue programmes to produce desirable effects and avoid undesirable effects on the national income, production and employment. DEFINITION OF FISCAL POLICY It defined as the policy of the government to achieve and maintain the objectives of stability, full employment and growth. The fiscal agents are taxes, government expenditure, public debt, payments of loans, and subsidies etc. It operates though both taxation and expenditure programmes of the government. CLASSICAL CONCEPT OF FISCAL POLICY A. Laissez-fair. B. Balanced budget. C. Sound finance. D. Transfer of resources from private sector to public sector. MODERN CONCEPT OF FISCAL POLICY A. Full employment. B. Functional finance. C. Reduction on money wages. D. Joint effective demand. OBECTIVES OF FISCAL POLICY. A. Full employment and economic stability. B. Price stability. C. Mobilisation of resources. D. To accelerate the rate of economic growth. E. To encourage investment into socially desirable channels. F. Pattern of investment. G. Distribution. H. Removal of business cycle. INSTRUMENTS OF FISCAL POLICY. Three are three important fiscal means by which resources can be raised for the public exchequer. a. Taxation. b. Public expenditure. c. Public debt. ROLE OF FISCAL POLICY IN DEVELOPING COUNTRY. The role of fiscal policy is to accelerate the rate of capital formation and investment, so that productive capacity of the economy developed and economic growth become possible. OBJECTIVES OF FISCAL POLICY IN DEVLOPING COUNTRY. The role of fiscal policy as an instrument of economic development. They have four important objectives are: a.
    [Show full text]
  • The Reality of Special Category States
    SPECIAL ARTICLE The Reality of Special Category States Govind Bhattacharjee The “special category” status accorded to certain states leven of the 29 states of India comprise what is collec- in the Indian Union allowed for much higher per capita tively called the “Special Category States”. These states are Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Himachal Pradesh, central assistance compared to other states to flow unto E Jammu and Kashmir, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, these states enabling some of them to march ahead and Sikkim, Tripura and Uttarakhand. Eight of these states consti- prompting demands from others for this status. But tute the north-eastern part of India; the three that lie outside these special category states were backward due to the region are Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, and Uttarakhand. By and large, these impoverished and mostly reasons of geography, while for the states which are resource-starved states lay at the periphery of India’s eco- demanding this status today, issues linked to governance nomic development. They were created at different points of lay at the root of their backwardness. Is it time to revisit time in the history of independent India1 to accommodate the the criteria and include others into this exclusive socio-economic as well as the ethnocultural aspirations of their respective peoples who were handicapped in various category by excluding those who do not need such ways. These handicaps arose not simply from the remoteness assistance any longer? of their locations or the inaccessibility of their hilly terrains with sparsely populated habitation, nor due to their historical circumstances alone.
    [Show full text]
  • Report of the Eighth Finance Commission
    REPORT OF THE EIGHTH FINANCE COMMISSION NIEPA DC HI 1 D06779 1984 P a r a / L in e / Page Annexure C ol. F or Read 21 3 .4 9 7 than then 22 3 .5 8 4 or o f 22 3 .5 8 5 coma able comparabl e 25 3 .72 2 very vary 27 3 .8 4 5 Poterntial Potential 30 3 .1 0 4 3 strea ssed stressed 31 3. 113 4 restricated restricted 35 4 .7 3 grwoth growth 48 6.11 4 wrought brought 62 9 3 2 w ere was 63 9. 5 4 It If 79 12.26 20 eue due 101 14.20 4 has have 102 14.27 11 sevings savings 145 Table I 2 (+) 1147.56 (+) 1147.55 148 F oot note@ At the rate of At the rate of 10 p er cent for 15 per cent for 1985-86,20 per 1986-87, 20 per cent and 25 per cent for 1987-88 cent for 1988-89 and 25 p er cent for 1988-89 160 6(e) 1 em olym ents em olum ents 248 XII - 9 9 3 9 .4 0 3 9.7 4 251 XII. 12 3 6 9 .8 0 96.8 0 253 X III-l(v ) 1 of at 2 _ Addenda/Deletia Page P a ra /Item Add/Insert/Delete 163 21 Delete 'represented by' 235 4(ii) Insert Atomic between Tarapu and P o w e r . REPORT OF THE EIGHTH FINANCE COMMISSION 1984 a ..... :s Ullll, National Insv i *-■ .
    [Show full text]
  • Union Government Responsibilities: Perspective of Finance Commissions
    S EMINAR REPORT Additional Terms of Reference of the 15 th Finance Commission: Implications for the States Saturday, 14 September 2019 Gulmohar Hall, India Habitat Centre, Lodhi Road, New Delhi Organised By Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, India Additional ToR of the 15th Finance Commission: Implications for the States 1 The seminar reports of GIFT serve as a medium for wider dissemination of the academic deliberation that takes place through major Seminars/ Workshops/ Conferences in GIFT. The views expressed here are those of the authors(s). Publication does not imply endorsement by the Institute of any of the views expressed therein GIFT Seminar reports are freely downloadable from the website www.gift.res.in 2 Additional ToR of the 15th Finance Commission: Implications for the States Additional ToR of the 15th Finance Commission: Implications for the States 3 4 Additional ToR of the 15th Finance Commission: Implications for the States Additional ToR of the 15th Finance Commission: Implications for the States 5 6 Additional ToR of the 15th Finance Commission: Implications for the States SESSION 1 I NAUGURATION AND BOOK RELEASE W ELCOME : K J Joseph Director, GIFT C HAIR : Sitaram Yechury Communist Party of India (Marxist) I NAUGURAL A DDRESS : Dr Manmohan Singh Former Prime Minister of India P ANELISTS T M Thomas Isaac Finance Minister, Government of Kerala Jairam Ramesh Member of Parliament & Former Minister, Government of India D Raja Secretary, CPI Harsh Mander Director, Centre for Equity Studies Dipankar Bhattacharya CPI (ML) Indira Jaising Senior Advocate Additional ToR of the 15th Finance Commission: Implications for the States 7 8 Additional ToR of the 15th Finance Commission: Implications for the States W ELCOME : K J J OSEPH I have the very pleasant responsibility of welcoming all of you to this Seminar.
    [Show full text]
  • Social Welfare Through Centrally Sponsored Schemes
    SOCIAL WELFARE THROUGH CENTRALLY SPONSORED SCHEMES Govind Bhattacharjee (Published in Indian Journal of Public Audit and Accountability, New Delhi, June 2014) The constitutional mechanism of the Finance Commission and extra-constitutional mechanism of the now-defunct Planning Commission, which was created by a resolution of the Government of India in March 1950, were both created to address the problem of striking an equitable balance between the socio-economic growth of individual states and the disparity that exists between them. The Finance Commission strives to achieve this by transferring resources from the richer to the poorer states through the agency of the Central Government, while the Planning Commission sought to addressed this problem by allocating Central resources through its Five Year Plans to meet the growth needs of the individual states - by ensuring higher per capita allocation to the poorer states. During the 1950s and 1960s, about two thirds of the Central resources thus used to be transferred to the states through the Planning Commission, which share was subsequently reduced to little less than half before the Planning Commission was itself disbanded earlier this year. Finance Commission recommendations cover both the vertical transfer from the Centre to the states as well as horizontal transfers among the states, from the richer to the poorer states, hence these are equalization transfers. Rangarajan and Srivastava (2011) pointed out that in the vertical transfer of resources from the centre to the states, there has been a long term stability. While the relevant shares and ratios have undergone changes, the relative shares of the centre and the States have more or less remained stable, especially since the Seventh Finance Commission (1979-84).
    [Show full text]