Issues in Indian Public Finance


Book Description

"In spite of extensive fiscal reforms undertaken during the nineties, Indias public finances face numerous problems. While the taxation system remains distortionary and fragmented, government expenditures remain inefficient in providing public and merit goods to the desired extent. Vertical imbalance and horizontal disparities characterise the federal fiscal system. The fiscal reform years have witnessed a sharp rise in the fiscal imbalance and deterioration in state finances. his book undertakes a comprehensive review of the contemporary issues in Indias public finances within a long-term perspective tracing its evolution since 1950-51. It critically analyses the causes of fiscal imbalance, the tensions that prevail in centre-state financial relations, the progress of decentralization, and issues related with the structure of taxation as well as government expenditures. It examines the impact of public finances on the macro economy and looks at fiscal policy options for growth, stability and poverty alleviation. "




Costs of Democracy


Book Description

One of the most troubling critiques of contemporary democracy is the inability of representative governments to regulate the deluge of money in politics. If it is impossible to conceive of democracies without elections, it is equally impractical to imagine elections without money. Costs of Democracy is an exhaustive, ground-breaking study of money in Indian politics that opens readers’ eyes to the opaque and enigmatic ways in which money flows through the political veins of the world’s largest democracy. Through original, in-depth investigation—drawing from extensive fieldwork on political campaigns, pioneering surveys, and innovative data analysis—the contributors in this volume uncover the institutional and regulatory contexts governing the torrent of money in politics; the sources of political finance; the reasons for such large spending; and how money flows, influences, and interacts with different tiers of government. The book raises uncomfortable questions about whether the flood of money risks washing away electoral democracy itself.




Indian Fiscal Federalism


Book Description

Likening fiscal federalism to a game between the Union and the States, and among the States themselves, Indian Fiscal Federalism lays bare the complex rules of play. It examines the pivotal role of Finance Commissions and assesses momentous events since 2014, such as the replacement of the Planning Commission by NITI Aayog, the emergence of the GST Council, and the controversies surrounding the Fifteenth Finance Commission. States, and among the States themselves, Indian Fiscal Federalism lays bare the complex rules of play. It examines the pivotal role of Finance Commissions and assesses momentous events since 2014, such as the replacement of the Planning Commission by NITI Aayog, the emergence of the GST Council, and the controversies surrounding the Fifteenth Finance Commission. A contemporary, timely, and comprehensive analysis of fiscal federalism in India, this practitioners’ perspective is a must-read for all those interested in the subject.




Challenges and Issues in Indian Fiscal Federalism


Book Description

This book discusses various dimensions of Indian fiscal federalism, focusing on the current fiscal imbalances – both vertical and horizontal – and their correction. Throwing light on different angles of this subject, it presents well-researched papers, which are divided into three sections. The first section, ‘Fiscal federalism and resolving the fiscal imbalances’, includes five chapters that discuss this theme and also explain the various strategies to remove the existing imbalances in India. ‘Fiscal decentralization for high growth’ which is the second section, explains how decentralisation leads to high economic growth and showcases empirical evidence from a few Indian states that are flourishing due to this policy. The third section, ‘Emerging issues’ offers six chapters describing several existing key concerns in fiscal federalism that have a major impact on achieving India’s development goals. Including contributions from leading academics in this field, the book will be of great interest to research scholars and policy makers alike. “Besides addressing the core issue of fiscal imbalances and ways to correct them, the [chapters] touch on several issues confronting the Indian fiscal system at the centre , state and local levels. The [chapters] are well researched and well argued. The book is a valuable addition to the literature on Fiscal Federalism.” – Dr. C. Rangarajan, Ex-Governor of Reserve Bank of India; Chairman, Madras School of Economics, Chennai, India.




Public Economics In IndiaTheory And Practice


Book Description

Traditionally The Term Public Finance Has Been Applied To The Package Of Those Policies And Operations Which Involve The Use Of Tax And Expenditure Measures, While Budgetary Policy Is An Important Part To Understand The Basic Problems Of Use Of Resources, Distribution Of Income, Etc. There Is A Vast Array Of Fiscal Institutions Tax Systems, Expenditure Programmes, Budgetary Procedures, Stabilization Instruments, Public Debt Policies, Level Of Government, Etc., Which Raise A Spectrum Of Issues Arising From The Operation Of These Institutions. Further, The Existence Of Externalities, Concern For Adjustment In The Distribution Of Income And Wealth, Removal Of Poverty, Etc., Require Political Process For Their Solutions In A Manner Which Combines Individual Freedom And Justice. The Problem Of Allocation Of Resources Between Public Goods And Private Goods Is A Perennial Problem. Then In A Democracy There Is A Political Process Of Voting To Decide About The Budgetary Policy To Be Adopted. Therefore, Now More Attention Is Paid To A Wider Coverage Of Government Activities Relating To Financial Aspects And The Subject Is Known As Public Economics .The Present Book Is An Excellent Presentation Of Fiscal Institutions And A Careful Analysis Of The Issues Underlining Budgetary Policies In General And Indian Experience In Particular. Based On The Curriculum Prescribed By The University Grants Commission (Ugc), It Ideally Caters To The Academic Needs Of Postgraduate Students Of Public Economics. Apart From The Traditional Topics Of Public Finance, I.E. Taxation, Public Expenditure, Public Debt, Fiscal Policy, Federalism, Etc., The Book Contains Chapters On Public Sector Vs. Private Sector, Theory Of Public Choice And Changing Perspective About The Role Of The Government. Special Focus Of The Book Is On Indian Public Finances Including The Fiscal Crisis Of 1991 And Fiscal Sector Reforms.




Digital Revolutions in Public Finance


Book Description

Digitization promises to reshape fiscal policy by transforming how governments collect, process, share, and act on information. More and higher-quality information can improve not only policy design for tax and spending, but also systems for their management, including tax administration and compliance, delivery of public services, administration of social programs, public financial management, and more. Countries must chart their own paths to effectively balance the potential benefits against the risks and challenges, including institutional and capacity constraints, privacy concerns, and new avenues for fraud and evasion. Support for this book and the conference on which it is based was provided by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation “Click Download on the top right corner for your free copy..."




Public Finance, 30th Edition


Book Description

Public Finance continues in its stride in presenting the latest information on Indian budget. Over two generations, it has virtually become an encyclopedia on all financial matters of the Government of India, serving as a textbook for students, teachers and the general public and a reference volume for researchers and others. It is equally useful for competitive examinations conducted by various professional and employment- providing bodies. It covers the UGC CBCS syllabus and the syllabi of many Indian universities for honours, postgraduate and professional courses. The book follows a logical and systematic approach. Thus, it is divided into two parts. Part I provides an analytical and comprehensive discussion of both the basics and frontiers of the theory of public finance. Part II covers the set-up, issues and working of Indian fiscal field mounted upon the theoretical underpinnings and international practices and experience. The illustrations are drawn mainly from the Indian scene, with a cross - reference to international experience. The book uses all the modern-day tools of pedagogy like Learning Objectives, Key Terms, Summary, Review Questions and Exercises.




Public Finance


Book Description

These papers examine aspects of fiscal reform in India while focusing on issues of policy relevance.




Urban Public Finance in Developing Countries


Book Description

And Evaluation of Local Automotive Taxation. 8. Other Urban Taxes. Policy Objectives. Local Income Taxes. General Sales Taxes. Local Taxes on Industry, Commerce, and Professions. "Terminal" Taxes. Local Sumptuary Taxes. Entertainment Taxes. Minor Local Taxes, Licenses, and Fees. Summary and Evaluation -- Pt. III. User Charges for Urban Services. 9. Issues in Pricing Urban Services. The Efficiency Argument for User Charges. Fiscal Considerations and Full Cost Pricing. Income Distribution Considerations. The Politics and Institutions of Public Service Pricing. 10. Charging for Urban Water Services. Pricing Water Supply Services. Sewerage and Drainage. Summary. 11. Charging for Other Urban Services. Electricity and Telephone Services. Collecting and Disposing of Solid Waste. Mass Transit. Housing. Development Charges -- Pt. IV. Intergovernmental Fiscal Relations. 12. The Structure of Urban Governance. Fiscal Decentralization. The National Structure of Urban Government.




Crisis and Predation


Book Description

How India's COVID-19 lockdown is creating an unprecedented humanitarian disaster With the advent of COVID-19, India’s rulers imposed the world’s most stringent lockdown on an already depressed economy, dealing a body blow to the majority of India’s billion-plus population. Yet the Indian government’s spending to cushion the lockdown’s economic impact ranked among the world’s lowest in GDP terms, resulting in unprecedented unemployment and hardship. Crisis and Predation shows how this tight-fistedness stems from the fact that global financial interests oppose any sizable expansion of public spending by India, and that Indian rulers readily adhere to their guidance. The authors reveal that global investors and a handful of top Indian corporate groups actually benefit from the resulting demand depression: armed with funds, they are picking up valuable assets at distress prices. Meanwhile, under the banner of reviving private investment, India’s rulers have planned giant privatizations, and drastically revised laws concerning industrial labor, the peasantry, and the environment—in favor of large capital. And yet, this book contends, India could defy the pressures of global finance in order to address the basic needs of its people. But this would require shedding reliance on foreign capital flows, and taking a course of democratic national development. This, then, is a pursuit, not for India’s ruling classes, but a course of struggle for India's people.