RBI governor Shaktikanta Das underlines need to stick to fiscal targets
The comments from the former-economic-affairs- secretary-turned-central banker assume importance as the government for two consecutive terms have missed it fiscal deficit targets by 10 bps in the outgoing fiscal year.
Reserve Bank governor Shaktikanta Das Tuesday underlined the need for sticking to the fiscal roadmap by adopting a commonly agreed expenditure code-based spending plan to address the socioeconomic challenges. He also advocated giving permanent status to the finance commission.
The comments from the former-economic-affairs- secretary-turned-central banker assume importance as the government for two consecutive terms have missed it fiscal deficit targets by 10 bps in the outgoing fiscal year. Many analysts fear that even the upwardly revised fiscal deficit target of 3.4 percent may be difficult to meet given the massive shortfall indirect tax collection and also shortfall in other budgeted non-tax revenue.
Das, speaking at the launch of a book 'Indian Fiscal Federalism', by former RBI governor YV Reddy along with GR Reddy here this evening, Das said there is now general agreement about the importance of fiscal consolidation roadmaps both at national and state levels.
"While adhering to fiscal deficit targets and debt- to-GDP ratios, it is equally important to undertake a robust expenditure planning based on a 'commonly agreed expenditure code' to address the socioeconomic challenges without diluting the goals of fiscal consolidation," he said.
Das, however, said his views do not represent the deliberations or the direction of thinking of the 15th Finance Commission, where he was a member for more than a year.
Das said over the past several decades, the successive finance commissions have adopted different approaches with regard to principles of tax devolution, Central grants to be given to the states and fiscal consolidation issues.
While at one level, there has to be a framework for fresh and innovative thinking by every finance commission, there is also a need to ensure broad consistency between various finance commissions so that there is some degree of certainty in the fund flow, especially to the states, he said adding this has become more critical in the post-GST scenario.
"There has to be continuity and change between finance commissions. Increasingly, it is felt that there is a need to give permanent status to the finance commission," Das said.
According to him, the principle of decentralisation works better when powers and functions are delegated based on which tier of governance is best suited to fulfill that responsibility.
Although the Constitution has provided for delegation of certain functions to the urban and rural local bodies, it is seen that there is still a good distance to traverse when it comes to devolution of funds to these local bodies.
"It is, therefore, essential that state finance commissions are constituted every five years as well, he said.
Das said recent initiatives in fostering cooperative federalism have opened new chapters of cooperation between the Centre and the states, as reflected in the GST Council, which is functioning on the principle of shared sovereignty.
"We are, however, a union of states in which both the Union and the states have to be fiscally strong.
While this issue has to be addressed by the finance commission, the challenge for GST council is to realise the full potential of GST for enhancing tax-GDP ratio and work on other areas of the economy to enhance competitiveness," he said.
Das mooted that the GST Council can expand its scope and agree to work on other areas of reforms to generate national consensus.
Watch this Zee Business Video
But he warned aganist cooperative federalism breeding inertia instead of encouraging competitive federalism.
Get Latest Business News, Stock Market Updates and Videos; Check your tax outgo through Income Tax Calculator and save money through our Personal Finance coverage. Check Business Breaking News Live on Zee Business Twitter and Facebook. Subscribe on YouTube.
RECOMMENDED STORIES
![https://www.zeebiz.com/personal-finance/photo-gallery-sip-swp-monthly-pension-income-retirement-corpus-planning-calculator-inr-rs-20000-monthly-investment-for-15-years-inr-99000-monthly-return-for-42-years-313283](https://cdn.zeebiz.com/sites/default/files/styles/zeebiz_700x394/public/2024/09/06/316973-rupee-pixabay-take-1.jpg?itok=02-hJh59)
SIP+SWP: Rs 20,000 monthly SIP for 16 years to get Rs 99,000 monthly income for 42 years; how is it possible?
![https://www.zeebiz.com/market-news/news-bajaj-finserv-rvnl-borosil-renewables-carysil-railtel-corporation-stocks-to-buy-hdfc-securities-recommendation-picks-target-stop-loss-bse-nse-313386](https://cdn.zeebiz.com/sites/default/files/styles/zeebiz_700x394/public/2024/09/06/317091-26.jpg?itok=gE1cWt7z)
RVNL, Bajaj Finserv and 5 more: Brokerage recommends buying these 7 stocks for up to 3 months | Check target, stop loss
![https://www.zeebiz.com/personal-finance/photo-gallery-nps-vs-ups-vs-ops-monthly-pension-income-retirement-corpus-calculator-what-will-be-your-pension-on-inr-rs-10000-contribution-for-35-years-expert-calculations-313361](https://cdn.zeebiz.com/sites/default/files/styles/zeebiz_700x394/public/2024/09/06/317060-rupee-pixabay-take-2.jpg?itok=cOVdof_v)
NPS vs UPS vs OPS: What will be your monthly pension if you contribute Rs 10,000 monthly for 35 years? Get expert calculations
![https://www.zeebiz.com/personal-finance/photo-gallery-top-7-etf-sip-mutual-funds-in-5-years-calculator-how-inr-rs-21000-monthly-investment-has-grown-in-nifty-sp-bse-next-50-cpse-uti-icici-pru-nippon-india-motilal-oswal-bharat-22-nift-mid-infra-313306](https://cdn.zeebiz.com/sites/default/files/styles/zeebiz_700x394/public/2024/09/06/316994-indian-currency-pixabay-take-1.jpg?itok=JURVEkst)
Top 7 ETF Mutual Funds With Highest SIP Returns in 5 Years: How Rs 21,000 monthly SIP has grown in each ETF over the years
![https://www.zeebiz.com/personal-finance/photo-gallery-sbi-senior-citizen-fd-fixed-deposit-latest-interest-rate-2024-calculator-what-be-maturity-amount-with-return-on-investments-of-inr-900000-lakh-in-1-3-5-year-guaranteed-return-scheme-retirement-planning-313221](https://cdn.zeebiz.com/sites/default/files/styles/zeebiz_700x394/public/2024/09/06/316909-note-coin-pixabay-take-1.jpg?itok=3RPKcBYE)
SBI Senior Citizen FD Rates 2024: What you can get if you invest Rs 3 lakh, Rs 5 lakh, Rs 7 lakh, and Rs 9 lakh in 1-, 3-, and 5-year FDs
11:14 PM IST