Article 280 and Article 281 of the Constitution of India deal with the provisions related to the Finance Commission of India (FCI).

Composition of Finance Commission of India (FCI)

• The Finance Commission consists of a Chairman and four other members to be appointed by the President.
• The Chairman and other members of the Commission hold officefor such period as specified by the President in his/her order.
• The Chairman and other members of the Commission are eligible for reappointment.

Qualifications of Members of Finance Commission (FC)

• The Constitution authorizes the Parliamentto determine the qualifications of members of the Commission.
• Accordingly, the Parliament has enacted the Finance Commission Act, of 1951which specifies the qualifications of the members of the Finance Commission as follows:
  • The Chairman should be a person having experience in Public Affairs.
  • The four other membersshould be selected from amongst the following:
    • a judge of the High Courtor one qualified to be appointed as one.
    • a person who has specialized knowledge of finance and accounts of the government.
    • a person who has wide experience in financial matters and administration.
    • a person who hasspecial knowledge of Economics.

Functions of Finance Commission (FC)

• The Finance Commission of India is required to make recommendationsto the President of India on the following matters:
  • The distribution of the net proceeds of taxesto be shared between the Centre and the States, and the allocation between the States of the respective shares of such proceeds.
  • The principles that should govern the grants-in-aid to the Statesby the Centre, i.e., 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 and the Municipalities in the State on the basis of the recommendations made by the State Finance Commission.
  • Any other matterreferred to it by the President in the interests of sound finance.

Report of Finance Commission (FC)

• The Finance Commission submits its report to the President of India.
• The President of India lays the report of the Finance Commission before both Houses of Parliament along with an explanatory memorandum as to the action taken on its recommendations.

Aspects of Recommendations of Finance Commission

The Finance Commission recommendations cover various aspects of fiscal federalism as described below:

• Vertical Devolution– It refers to the share of States in the divisible pool of Central taxes.
  • This aspect plays a crucial role in promoting fiscal autonomy among States.
• Horizontal Distribution– This refers to the allocation of resources among States.
  • The Finance Commission makes this recommendation based on a formula so as to ensure equitable distribution of funds and foster balanced development across the regions.
• Grants-in-aid– It refers to the additional transfers to specific states or sectors that are in need of assistance or reform. For example, grants for improving the justice delivery system or enhancing the statistical infrastructure in the States.
  • This aspect of Finance Commission recommendations aims to promote inclusive growth and address regional disparities within the country.

Nature of Recommendations of Finance Commission (FC)

• The recommendations made by the Finance Commission are only advisory in nature.
  • Hence, they are not binding on the Government.
• It is up to the Union Government whether to implement or notto implement its recommendations on granting money to the States.

Role of Finance Commission (FC)

The Finance Commission of India plays a crucial role in the country’s fiscal architecture. Prominent roles played by the Finance Commission (FC) can be seen as follows:

• Equitable Distribution of Resources: While recommending the manner of distribution of revenues between the Center and states and among the states themselves, the Finance Commission takes into account factors such as population, area, economic backwardness, This ensures that the resources of the country are allocated in an equitable manner.
• Promotes Social Welfare: The Commission recommends the principles governing the grants-in-aid to states that may not generate adequate revenue themselves for essential services like health, education, and infrastructure. This reduces fiscal imbalances and promotes social welfare.
• Empowered State Governments: Increased financial resources provide states with financial autonomy. This, in turn, means that state governments are empowered.
• Strengthens Local Self: Government: It also suggests measures to augment the Consolidated Funds of the states to supplement the resources of the Panchayats and Municipalities. This ensures that local bodies have adequate resources to perform their constitutionally mandated functions.
• Strengthened Federalism: The commission fosters cooperation and dialogue between the central and state governments on financial matters, promoting a healthy federal structure.
• Fiscal Consolidation and Discipline: By recommending measures for maintaining a stable and sustainable fiscal environment, it promotes fiscal stability and sound financial management both at the central and state levels. This, in turn, aids the sound economic growth of the country.
• Incentivizing Reforms: By linking financial allocations to reform milestones, the Commission encourages states to adopt best practices that lead to more efficient governance and improved service delivery.
• Addressing Contemporary Challenges: The Commission also aids in addressing contemporary fiscal challenges and the changing dynamics of the Indian economy. For example, considering the impact of new financial arrangements and policies, such as the introduction of the Goods and Services Tax (GST).

Fiscal Federalism refers to the division of fiscal responsibilities and financial resources between different levels of government within a federal system. It deals with the distribution of revenue-raising powers, expenditure responsibilities, and fiscal transfers between the Central Government and subnational entities, such as States or Provinces.

Role of the Finance Commission in Promoting Fiscal Federalism

The Constitution envisages the Finance Commission as the balancing wheel of fiscal federalism in India. Accordingly, the Commission plays a crucial role in facilitating Fiscal Federalism in India as can be seen as follows:

• It bridges the vertical financial imbalancesbetween the Centre and the States.
• By allocating sufficient resources to them, it promotes the fiscal autonomy and efficiency of the States.
• It bridges inequality among the Statesby giving more to the backward States.
• The commission’s work necessitates consultation with both the central and state governments. This fosters a spirit of cooperative federalism, where all levels of government work together for shared goals.

Challenges and Limitations of the Finance Commission (FC)

• Data Gaps and Quality Issues– Finance Commissions depend on official data sources to evaluate the fiscal condition and performance of both the Union and the States. However, these data are mostly incomplete, inconsistent, or outdated.
• Political Factors– Finance Commissions must reconcile the conflicting interests and demands from the diverse stakeholders, including the Union Government, State Governments, Local Bodies, Civil Society Groups, etc.
  • Additionally, they must consider the changing political and economic scenario in both the country and the world.
• Resource -Responsibilities Imbalance– One of the major limitations of the Finance Commission is that its resources are limited while its responsibilities are virtually unlimited.
• Overlap of Domains– There exists an intersection between the domains of the Finance Commission and the Goods and Services Tax (GST) Council. Decisions made by the GST Council affect the flow of tax revenue to the States and the size of the Central tax revenue pool, which is subsequently distributed among the Central and State Governments as per the recommendations of the Finance Commission.
• Demands for Centralization of Expenditure– India has a federal system of governance wherein both the Center and the states have autonomy in their assigned jurisdictions. However, of late, there have been demands for greater centralization of expenditure assignments. Thus, the Commission has to grapple to strike a balance between the two.
• Limited Control over Third-tier Government– The Commission has limited control over the third-tier government and makes its recommendations w.r.t. the third-tier government only on the basis of State Finance Commission recommendations. Thus, it plays a limited role in strengthening and building the capacity of local self-government.
• Implementational Challenges– The recommendations made by the Finance Commission are only advisory in nature. This makes it challenging for the commission to ensure that its recommendations are properly implemented and monitored.

Way Forward

• Permanence– PV Rajamannar Committee’s recommendation of making the Finance Commission a permanent body should be considered.
• Strengthening Capacity– The Finance Commission should bolster its analytical and advisory capabilities to enhance its effectiveness. This involves leveraging reliable data sources, employing robust methodologies, and engaging with experts and stakeholders.
• Enhanced Consultation– The Commission should improve communication and outreach strategies to disseminate their reports widely, solicit feedback, and foster consensus among stakeholders.
• Promotion of Cooperative & Competitive Federalism– The Commission should explore innovative approaches to foster cooperative and competitive federalism, adapting to emerging realities effectively.
• Addressing Emerging Issues– In response to evolving economic and social dynamics, The Finance Commission need to remain proactive and responsive. This entails addressing challenges stemming from GST implementation, the Covid-19 Pandemic, Climate Change, and Digital Transformation.

In conclusion, the Finance Commission of India (FCI) stands as a crucial pillar of fiscal federalism, ensuring the equitable distribution of financial resources between the Union and State Governments. As India continues on its path of economic development and social progress, the role of the Finance Commission will continue to remain indispensable. Taking the necessary steps to address the challenges faced by it will go a long way in fostering balanced regional development and ensuring the financial stability of the nation.

15th Finance Commission of India

16th Finance Commission of India