Contributed articles.

Traditionally The Term Public Finance Has Been Applied To The Package Of Those Policies And Operations Which Involve The Use Of Tax And Expenditure Measures, While Budgetary Policy Is An Important Part To Understand The Basic Problems Of Use Of Resources, Distribution Of Income, Etc. There Is A Vast Array Of Fiscal Institutions Tax Systems, Expenditure Programmes, Budgetary Procedures, Stabilization Instruments, Public Debt Policies, Level Of Government, Etc., Which Raise A Spectrum Of Issues Arising From The Operation Of These Institutions. Further, The Existence Of Externalities, Concern For Adjustment In The Distribution Of Income And Wealth, Removal Of Poverty, Etc., Require Political Process For Their Solutions In A Manner Which Combines Individual Freedom And Justice. The Problem Of Allocation Of Resources Between Public Goods And Private Goods Is A Perennial Problem. Then In A Democracy There Is A Political Process Of Voting To Decide About The Budgetary Policy To Be Adopted. Therefore, Now More Attention Is Paid To A Wider Coverage Of Government Activities Relating To Financial Aspects And The Subject Is Known As Public Economics .The Present Book Is An Excellent Presentation Of Fiscal Institutions And A Careful Analysis Of The Issues Underlining Budgetary Policies In General And Indian Experience In Particular. Based On The Curriculum Prescribed By The University Grants Commission (Ugc), It Ideally Caters To The Academic Needs Of Postgraduate Students Of Public Economics. Apart From The Traditional Topics Of Public Finance, I.E. Taxation, Public Expenditure, Public Debt, Fiscal Policy, Federalism, Etc., The Book Contains Chapters On Public Sector Vs. Private Sector, Theory Of Public Choice And Changing Perspective About The Role Of The Government. Special Focus Of The Book Is On Indian Public Finances Including The Fiscal Crisis Of 1991 And Fiscal Sector Reforms.

These papers examine aspects of fiscal reform in India while focusing on issues of policy relevance.

"In spite of extensive fiscal reforms undertaken during the nineties, Indias public finances face numerous problems. While the taxation system remains distortionary and fragmented, government expenditures remain inefficient in providing public and merit goods to the desired extent. Vertical imbalance and horizontal disparities characterise the federal fiscal system. The fiscal reform years have witnessed a sharp rise in the fiscal imbalance and deterioration in state finances. his book undertakes a comprehensive review of the contemporary issues in Indias public finances within a long-term perspective tracing its evolution since 1950-51. It critically analyses the causes of fiscal imbalance, the tensions that prevail in centre-state financial relations, the progress of decentralization, and issues related with the structure of taxation as well as government expenditures. It examines the impact of public finances on the macro economy and looks at fiscal policy options for growth, stability and poverty alleviation. "

This book is an attempt to focus the attention on the sound economic ideas, magnificent financial management prevalent in ancient India. To start with a comparative position of ancient India and other ancient seats of civilization in this regard has been highlighted. The principles of Taxation, classification of Revenues–both from tax and non-tax sources and various taxes in vogue such as Land Revenue, Customs, Excise Duty, Sales Tax, Excess Profits Tax, Octroi etc. and also revenue from non-tax sources feature in the few subsequent chapters. The principles of expenditure and classification of State expenditure–Military, Civil and Welfare-oriented expenditures–are dealt with in the next few chapters. Financial Administration and methods of Accounting and also Budget including performance budget have been discussed. The findings of this book are based not only on the literary sources but also on the epigraphical evidences.

'Studies in Indian Public Finance' presents a comprehensive analysis of public spending and its financing in India. The book underlines the need to contain deficits and debt.--