Finance Commission

Q.1. What is the Finance Commission?

Ans. The Finance Commission is constituted by the President under article 280 of the Constitution, mainly to give its recommendations on distribution of tax revenues between the Union and the States and amongst the States themselves. Two distinctive features of the Commission’s work involve redressing the vertical imbalances between the taxation powers and expenditure responsibilities of the centre and the States respectively and equalization of all public services across the States.

Q.2 What are the functions of the Finance Commission?
Ans. It is the duty of the Commission to make recommendations to the President as to—

• the distribution between the Union and the States of the net proceeds of taxes which are to be, or may be, divided between them and the allocation between the States of the respective shares of such proceeds;
• the principles which should govern the grants-in-aid of the revenues of the States out of the Consolidated Fund of India;
• the measures needed to augment the Consolidated Fund of a State to supplement the resources of the Panchayats in the State on the basis of the recommendations made by the Finance Commission of the State;
• the measures needed to augment the Consolidated Fund of a State to supplement the resources of the Municipalities in the State on the basis of the recommendations made by the Finance Commission of the State;
• any other matter referred to the Commission by the President in the interests of sound finance.

The Commission determines its procedure and have such powers in the performance of their functions as Parliament may by law confer on them.

Q.3. Who appoints the Finance Commission and what are the qualifications for Members?

Ans. The Finance Commission is appointed by the President under Article 280 of the Constitution. As per the provisions contained in the Finance Commission [Miscellaneous Provisions] Act, 1951 and The Finance Commission (Salaries & Allowances) Rules, 1951, the Chairman of the Commission is selected from among persons who have had experience in public affairs, and the four other members are selected from among persons who–
(a) are, or have been, or are qualified to be appointed as Judges of a High Court; or
(b) have special knowledge of the finances and accounts of Government; or
(c) have had wide experience in financial matters and in administration; or
(d) have special knowledge of economics

Q.4. How are the recommendations of Finance Commission implemented?

Ans. The recommendations of the Finance Commission are implemented as under:-

Those to be implemented by an order of the President:
The recommendations relating to distribution of Union Taxes and Duties and Grants-in-aid fall in this category.
Those to be implemented by executive orders:
The recommendations in respect of sharing of Profit Petroleum, Debt Relief, Mode of Central Assistance, etc. are implemented by executive orders.

Q.5. When was the first Commission appointed and how many Commissions have been appointed so far?

Ans. The First Finance Commission was constituted vide Presidential Order dated 22.11.1951 under the chairmanship of Shri K.C. Neogy on 6th April, 1952. Thirteen Finance Commissions have been appointed so far at intervals of every five years.

Q.6. Is the Finance Commission unique to India?
Ans. Most federal systems resolve the vertical and horizontal imbalances through mechanisms similar to the Finance Commission. For example Australia and Canada.
Q.7. What is the composition of the Thirteenth Finance Commission?

Ans. The Thirteenth Finance Commission has been set up under the Chairmanship of Dr. Vijay L. Kelkar [former Union Finance Secretary and Advisor to the Finance Minister]. Other Members of the Commission are Dr. Indira Rajaraman [Professor Emeritus, National Institute of Public Finance & Policy New Delhi), Prof. Atul Sarma, Former Vice Chancellor, Rajiv Gandhi University [erstwhile Arunachal University], Dr. Sanjiv Misra [Former Secretary (Expenditure) Government of India). Shri B.K. Chaturvedi (Member, Planning Commission) is the part-time Member of the Thirteenth Finance Commission. Shri Sumit Bose is the Secretary, Thirteenth Finance Commission.

Q.8. What is the tenure of the Thirteenth Finance Commission?

Ans. The Finance Commission is required to give its report by 31st October, 2009. Its recommendations will cover the five year period commencing from 1st April, 2010.