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Published on:

August 31, 2024

Alankar Mishra

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Fiscal Policy in India: Objectives, Types, Tools and Importance

One of the most important parts of India’s economic framework is fiscal policy. Its role in managing the country’s economic performance is quite significant. Fiscal policy involves government taxation, spending and borrowing to affect the economy. Fiscal Policy in India: Understanding its Objectives, Types, Tools and Importance This post will look into what fiscal policy is in India, its objectives, different types as well as tools it can use among others so that a better understanding of how this shapes India’s economy will emerge.

Objectives of Fiscal Policy in India

Economic Growth

One of the main focus areas for fiscal policy initiatives in India includes a drive for sustainable growth. The government looks at influencing economic activities by adjusting their expenditures and taxation to encourage investments and create employment opportunities. In developing countries like India, where poverty reduction depends on economic growth, this becomes even more vital.

Control of Inflation

To control inflationary pressures, fiscal policy plays an important role. For instance; by using public expenditure or taxation to influence aggregate demand levels; governments can limit inflationary tendencies that might have gone out of hand. When there is too much money flowing into the system during periods characterized by high inflation rates, then one may suggest that the government should either decrease spending or raise taxes.

Reduction of Income Inequality

Another objective sought after by fiscal policies is income equality minimization. Progressivity on taxes and targeted social welfare programs play significant roles when it comes to income redistribution and provision of social security schemes designed for economically weaker sections of society thereby helping towards achieving a more just distribution of wealth.

Employment Generation

Job creation forms part of fiscal policy initiatives taken up by the Indian government as well. While investing in infrastructure projects and other forms of public works; governments can generate employment while reducing unemployment levels (Singh & Verma 2011). This has become even more crucial as far as majorly youthful economies are concerned.

Types of Fiscal Policy in India

Expansionary Fiscal Policy

The government uses this type of fiscal policy when it wants to stimulate economic growth. In such a case, public expenditure might be increased, taxes reduced or both methods can be employed at once. During times of recession or slow growth, for instance, the aggregate demand is boosted through an expansionary fiscal approach.

Contractionary Fiscal Policy

On the other hand, contractionary fiscal policy can be described as a move to reduce inflation and stabilize the economy. This policy involves cutting back on government spending while increasing taxes or even both (Burns & Mitchell 1946). It is applied when there are signs that the economy is in danger of overheating thus requiring that aggregate demand should be brought under control to effectively reduce inflationary pressures.

Neutral Fiscal Policy

A neutral fiscal policy is one where the government’s spending is fully funded by its revenue and hence does not affect the level of economic activity. This type of policy is used if an economy is stable enough not to need any significant intervention from its central authority.

Tools of Fiscal Policy in India

Government Spending

One of the tools largely deployed under fiscal policies is the government’s expenditure. Expenditure in this context may include such areas as; infrastructure development, education sector improvements healthcare provision, defence as well as social welfare programs among others. By affecting either way the total amount spent by governments on various activities which directly impact real output within countries, it becomes possible for them to determine what happens with domestic business cycles.

Taxation

Taxation plays an important role in fiscal policies too. Governments can change taxable rates depending on individual incomes and businesses (Gregory & Stuart 2013). For example; reduced taxations increase disposable incomes leading to higher purchasing power and investment while higher ones have opposite effects.

Public Borrowing

The government engages in public borrowing when its expenditures exceed revenue. It can finance such expenditures without raising taxes immediately by obtaining loans from both local and international sources. However, over-borrowing could lead to higher debt levels and interest payments in the future.

Subsidies and Transfers

Subsidies and transfers are means of giving financial assistance to particular sectors or groups within the economy. For instance, farmers get agricultural subsidies to support agricultural production while social welfare transfers are given to low-income people to improve their living standards.

Importance of Fiscal Policy in India

Economic Stabilization

Fiscal policy is a vital aspect of stabilizing an economy. By controlling government spending as well as taxation, the government smoothens out economic cycles so that booms and busts become less severe which helps maintain consistent economic growth hence avoiding extreme variations in the economy.

Poverty Alleviation

On the poverty alleviation front, fiscal policy assumes significance for India. By way of selective public expenditure programs like subsidies, social security coverages, welfare schemes etc., govt can better the living standards directly of poor and vulnerable sections.

Infrastructure Development

India also needs fiscal policy for infrastructure development. This way, it will pave the way for the construction of roads, bridges schools hospitals among other things that make up public goods through resource allocation by governments thus laying the foundation for long-term economic growth and development.

Reducing Regional Disparities

Fiscal policy is used to address regional disparities within India. The Government can bridge disparities between underdeveloped areas by providing them with special fiscal incentives or aid which results in balanced regional development and india’s regions becoming more equal than before.

Conclusion

Indian fiscal policies control the direction taken by the Indian economy. It helps the government realize its objectives including inflation control, income redistribution, promotion of employment opportunities, and monetary stability. This chapter provides insights into what objectives, fiscal policy types, policy tools and importance of fiscal policy mean to the Indian economy as it faces and responds to its opportunities and challenges.

FAQs

What is the main objective of fiscal policy in India?

The primary objectives of fiscal policy in India are economic growth promotion, inflation control, inequality reduction, and employment generation.

How does the government use fiscal policy to control inflation?

By reducing public spending, increasing taxes or both, aggregate demand can be reduced through fiscal policy measures aimed at controlling inflation by the government.

What are the tools of fiscal policy?

Major instruments of monetary policies include; Government Spending, Taxation, Public Borrowing, and Subsidies/ Transfers.

Why is fiscal policy important for infrastructure development in India?

Given infrastructural development, a major point comes up regarding why this country must have a well-developed financial system. In doing so, governments may apportion budgets for building such essential public goods as roads, bridges schools hospitals among others which are critical for long-term economic growth.

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