UPSC Mains 2013 · GS III · Q3 · 10 marks · 200 words

What is the meaning of the term ‘tax expenditure’ ? Taking housing sector as an example, discuss how it influences the budgetary policies of the government.

हिन्दी में

‘कर खर्च’ (Tax expenditure) का क्या अर्थ है ? गृह क्षेत्र का उदाहरण लेते हुए विवेचना कीजिए कि यह शासन की बजट-संबंधी नीतियों को कैसे प्रभावित करता है।

How a topper answered the closest question

Toppers wrote this one in a test series: “While the budgetary reforms undertaken by the Central government in recent years have led to better management of government expenditure, there are some issues that still need redressal. Discuss.”

Parsanjeet KourAIR 11 · CSE 2022 · 262 wordsTheir whole copy

Opening · a definition

Budget is the annual financial statement which finds its reference in art 112 and 202 of the constitution. It is presented by finance minister in the floor of lower house of legislature.

Central government has undertaken a number of budgetary reforms to better manage budget and government expenditure. This include-

Body · points

→ Fusion of railway budget and general budget → Moving away with code of presenting budget on last day of february to first day → Getting away with splitting of planned and non-planned expenditure → Stress on performance budgeting and frequent reviews.

These reforms have led to better management of expenditure as

→ It is a step to revive railways which can invest ₹ 10,000 crore annually in it rather than allocating it to government.

→ Its presentation on first day gave benefit of detailed discussion and reduction of financial crunch period post 31-march

→ By not splitting expenditure, feeling of worthless expense done away with

→ Stress on performance led to greater accountability, transparency and efficacy.

→ Notion of top to bottom expenditure, periodic reviews led to pro-people centric budget.

Provided this, still some issues need to be addressed

→ Prudent economic assumptions without real time analysis. → Lack of commitment to meet budgetary deadlines. → Issue of huge unaccounted Non-budgetary borrowings. → Concern of breach of fiscal deficit under FRBM act limit of 40% and 20% for centre and states by 2024-25 → Authenticity of data collected one month early (28 to 01 february)

Close · a way forward

Concerns need to be addressed by taking review of OECD budgetary framework as a way forward.

How toppers approach this question, and more on its topic: open the question.

Source: UPSC, Civil Services (Main) Examination 2013, General Studies Paper III, Q3. The paper on upsc.gov.in. Themes and links to toppers’ answers are by UPSC Grade, not by UPSC.