From Centre To State: Finance Commission Transfers In India

Indian federal system of fiscal governance, a disconcerting fact is the already backward states to actually get the Central allocations because they are not in a position to offer matching grants. On the other hand, the developed states are in a far better position ot obtain, not only their share but even more since the funds are avaialable. Thus, not only regional disparities keep on increasing, a political dimensionalso emerges as well as a mal-functioning fiscal system wherein the resources get concentrated in the higher levels of government and the duties get to be performed by the local level.
About Author :
Shri Sudhir Krishna is a member of the Indian Administrative Service (karnataka Cadre, 1977 Batch), currently workinmg as Metropolitcan Commissioner, Bangalore Metropolitan Region Development Authority. He holds a Masters Degree in Physics from the Banaras Hindu University, Varansi and a Masters Degree in Public management from the Heinz School of Public Policy & Management, Pittsburgh, USA.
Contents :
Dedication and Acknowledgements Foreword Introduction Resource Transfer: Need and Mechanism Terms of Reference of the Finance Commission Inter State Disparities Principles for Fiscal Transfers Adopted by the Finance Commissions Trends in the Finances of the Government of India Trends in the Finances of the State Governments Conclusions and Recommendations Annexure Need and Scope of Further Studies Appendix: Terms of Reference for the Finance Commissions (First to Twelfth) Bibliography Webliography Abbreviations Index