what are the different modes of transfer of funds from the centre to the states. discuss? about in 500 words
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There are different layers of government with specific power and responsibilities defined by the Indian Constitution. Taking into account the amendments made so far the Constitution provides for three layers of the government: Central, State and Local. In.order to carry out its responsibilities the government at each level has been assigned powers to impose taxes on individuals and organizations based on criteria such as income, expenditure, production and certain economic transactions. The major source of revenue for the central government is income tax, central excise, and custom duties. On the other hand, there is a long list of taxes assigned to the states (including taxes on alcoholic beverages, agricultural income, and land) but the major source of tax revenue for the states is the sales tax. The tax base of the local governments is limited to local services and production.
While analyzing inter-governmental fiscal relations, one, there_should be no fiscal overlapping so that the same tax should not be imposed by more than one layer of government. The Seventh Schedule of the Indian Constitution specifies the manner in which taxes are to be imposed by the central and the state level governments. Two, taxation power is assigned to.a particular level of government keeping in view the geographical area on which the impact of the tax is felt. Thus the tax categories assigned to the Center are generally broad-based and their impact is felt beyond state boundaries. Three, the residual power with respect to taxation remains with the central government. While exercising such power the Center introduced ‘service tax’ during 1990s On the provision of specific services. The share of services sector in GDP is more than half and its share is increasing over time. Service tax is slated to be an important source-of revenue in time to come. Four, imposition of taxes and fixation of tax rates is a matter of political economy. In order to further political interests governments have many times in the past waived taxes or excluded certain categories from taxation. A widely debated issue in this context is imposition of taxes on agricultural income, which is a state subject and state governments have- invariably avoided taxation of rural rich. It has allowed to farmers and report non-agricultural income as agricultural income. Five, there is a mismatch between the tax base and the responsibilities assigned to different layers of governments. The states have always complained about inadequate revenue compared to their expenditure. Similarly, there is shortage of funds at local government level compared to the expenditure they Carly out. Six, tax base is unevenly distributed across states. For example rich states have a relatively higher share of people who pay taxes. Similarly, relatively higher amount of excises is collected from industrially better off areas
While analyzing inter-governmental fiscal relations, one, there_should be no fiscal overlapping so that the same tax should not be imposed by more than one layer of government. The Seventh Schedule of the Indian Constitution specifies the manner in which taxes are to be imposed by the central and the state level governments. Two, taxation power is assigned to.a particular level of government keeping in view the geographical area on which the impact of the tax is felt. Thus the tax categories assigned to the Center are generally broad-based and their impact is felt beyond state boundaries. Three, the residual power with respect to taxation remains with the central government. While exercising such power the Center introduced ‘service tax’ during 1990s On the provision of specific services. The share of services sector in GDP is more than half and its share is increasing over time. Service tax is slated to be an important source-of revenue in time to come. Four, imposition of taxes and fixation of tax rates is a matter of political economy. In order to further political interests governments have many times in the past waived taxes or excluded certain categories from taxation. A widely debated issue in this context is imposition of taxes on agricultural income, which is a state subject and state governments have- invariably avoided taxation of rural rich. It has allowed to farmers and report non-agricultural income as agricultural income. Five, there is a mismatch between the tax base and the responsibilities assigned to different layers of governments. The states have always complained about inadequate revenue compared to their expenditure. Similarly, there is shortage of funds at local government level compared to the expenditure they Carly out. Six, tax base is unevenly distributed across states. For example rich states have a relatively higher share of people who pay taxes. Similarly, relatively higher amount of excises is collected from industrially better off areas
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