1 minEconomic Concept
Economic Concept

effective capital expenditure

What is effective capital expenditure?

Effective capital expenditure refers to the total capital expenditure spending on creating assets by the government. It includes direct capital expenditure and grants given to states for creating assets.

Historical Background

The concept gained importance as governments realized that simply spending money wasn't enough. The focus shifted to ensuring that spending actually created productive assets and infrastructure.

Key Points

8 points
  • 1.

    Includes direct capital expenditure by the central government.

  • 2.

    Includes grants to states for creating capital assets.

  • 3.

    Focuses on creating tangible assets like roads, hospitals, and schools.

  • 4.

    Aims to boost long-term economic growth and productivity.

  • 5.

    Helps in job creation and improving infrastructure.

  • 6.

    Higher effective capital expenditure indicates a stronger economy.

  • 7.

    It is a key indicator monitored by the Finance Ministry and RBI.

  • 8.

    Increased spending can lead to a multiplier effect on the economy.

Visual Insights

Effective Capital Expenditure: Key Components & Impact

This mind map illustrates the key components of effective capital expenditure and its impact on the economy.

Effective Capital Expenditure

  • Components
  • Impact
  • Monitoring
  • Legal Framework

Evolution of Effective Capital Expenditure Policy in India

This timeline shows key events and policy changes related to effective capital expenditure in India.

The government has been gradually increasing its focus on capital expenditure to boost economic growth and create jobs. This has led to a consistent increase in effective capital expenditure as a share of GDP.

  • 2015Focus on infrastructure development begins gaining momentum.
  • 2018Increased emphasis on capital expenditure in Union Budget.
  • 2020Effective Capital Expenditure at 4.5% of GDP (RE).
  • 2021Effective Capital Expenditure at 4.9% of GDP (BE).
  • 2022Effective Capital Expenditure at 5.9% of GDP (BE).
  • 2023Effective Capital Expenditure at 6.2% of GDP (BE).
  • 2024Effective Capital Expenditure at 6.5% of GDP (BE).
  • 2025Effective Capital Expenditure projected at 6.8% of GDP (BE).
  • 2026Continued focus on infrastructure development and capital asset creation.

Recent Developments

5 developments

Government is increasingly focusing on infrastructure development.

Increased allocation for roads, railways, and ports in recent budgets.

Emphasis on PM Gati Shakti National Master Plan for infrastructure coordination.

States are encouraged to increase their capital expenditure through central grants.

Monitoring of capital expenditure projects to ensure timely completion.

Frequently Asked Questions

12
1. What is effective capital expenditure and what are its key provisions?

Effective capital expenditure refers to the government's total spending on creating assets. It includes direct capital expenditure and grants given to states for creating assets. Key provisions include: * Direct capital expenditure by the central government. * Grants to states for creating capital assets. * Focus on creating tangible assets like roads, hospitals, and schools. * Aims to boost long-term economic growth and productivity. * Helps in job creation and improving infrastructure.

  • Direct capital expenditure by the central government.
  • Grants to states for creating capital assets.
  • Focus on creating tangible assets.
  • Boost long-term economic growth.
  • Job creation and infrastructure improvement.

Exam Tip

Remember the components of effective capital expenditure: direct expenditure and grants to states. This is crucial for prelims.

2. How does effective capital expenditure work in practice?

In practice, the government allocates funds in the budget for various infrastructure projects and asset creation. Direct capital expenditure involves the central government directly investing in projects like building highways or railways. Grants to states are provided to encourage state governments to undertake similar capital asset creation. The aim is to improve infrastructure, boost economic activity, and create jobs.

Exam Tip

Understand the flow of funds from the central government to states for capital asset creation.

3. What is the significance of effective capital expenditure in the Indian economy?

Effective capital expenditure is significant because it boosts long-term economic growth and productivity. By creating tangible assets like roads, hospitals, and schools, it improves infrastructure, attracts investment, and creates jobs. This leads to increased economic activity and overall development.

Exam Tip

Relate effective capital expenditure to economic growth, infrastructure development, and job creation.

4. What are the challenges in the implementation of effective capital expenditure?

Challenges include delays in project approvals, land acquisition issues, environmental clearances, and coordination problems between different government departments. These can lead to cost overruns and delays in the creation of assets.

Exam Tip

Focus on practical challenges like land acquisition and environmental clearances.

5. What reforms have been suggested for improving effective capital expenditure?

Suggested reforms include streamlining project approval processes, improving coordination between government departments, using technology for project monitoring, and ensuring timely release of funds. The PM Gati Shakti National Master Plan aims to address these issues by improving infrastructure coordination.

Exam Tip

Connect reforms to improved project management and coordination.

6. What is the constitutional basis of effective capital expenditure?

Effective capital expenditure is linked to Article 112 of the Constitution, which deals with the Budget. The Finance Ministry issues guidelines for capital expenditure.

Exam Tip

Remember Article 112 (Budget) as the constitutional basis.

7. What are the different types or categories included in effective capital expenditure?

Effective capital expenditure includes two main categories: * Direct capital expenditure by the central government. * Grants given to states for creating capital assets.

  • Direct capital expenditure by the central government.
  • Grants given to states for creating capital assets.

Exam Tip

Focus on the two components: direct expenditure and grants.

8. How has the focus on effective capital expenditure evolved over time?

The focus has shifted from simply spending money to ensuring that spending actually creates productive assets and infrastructure. Governments realized that just allocating funds wasn't enough; the spending needed to result in tangible benefits.

Exam Tip

Understand the shift from mere spending to productive asset creation.

9. What are frequently asked aspects of effective capital expenditure in UPSC exams?

Questions are often asked about the impact of capital expenditure on economic growth, fiscal policy, and infrastructure development. Also, questions related to government initiatives like PM Gati Shakti are important.

Exam Tip

Prepare on the economic impact and related government schemes.

10. What are the limitations of focusing solely on effective capital expenditure?

Focusing solely on effective capital expenditure might neglect other important aspects like social sector spending (health, education) which are also crucial for long-term development. Also, the quality of assets created is as important as the quantity.

Exam Tip

Consider the trade-offs between capital expenditure and social sector spending.

11. How does India's approach to effective capital expenditure compare with other countries?

India's approach is similar to other developing countries in that it focuses on infrastructure development to boost economic growth. However, the specific challenges and priorities may differ based on the country's stage of development and economic structure. The emphasis on schemes like PM Gati Shakti is unique to India.

Exam Tip

Focus on the similarities and differences in infrastructure development strategies.

12. What is the future of effective capital expenditure in India?

The future of effective capital expenditure in India looks promising, with increased government focus on infrastructure development and improved coordination through initiatives like the PM Gati Shakti National Master Plan. Increased allocation for roads, railways, and ports in recent budgets indicates a continued emphasis on capital asset creation.

Exam Tip

Highlight the government's commitment to infrastructure development.

Source Topic

India's Effective Capital Expenditure Shows Upward Trend as Share of GDP

Economy

UPSC Relevance

Important for UPSC GS Paper 3 (Economy). Questions can be asked about the impact of capital expenditure on economic growth, fiscal policy, and infrastructure development.

Effective Capital Expenditure: Key Components & Impact

This mind map illustrates the key components of effective capital expenditure and its impact on the economy.

Effective Capital Expenditure

Direct Spending

State Grants

Multiplier Effect

Infrastructure Boost

Key Indicator

Connections
ComponentsImpact
MonitoringComponents

Evolution of Effective Capital Expenditure Policy in India

This timeline shows key events and policy changes related to effective capital expenditure in India.

2015

Focus on infrastructure development begins gaining momentum.

2018

Increased emphasis on capital expenditure in Union Budget.

2020

Effective Capital Expenditure at 4.5% of GDP (RE).

2021

Effective Capital Expenditure at 4.9% of GDP (BE).

2022

Effective Capital Expenditure at 5.9% of GDP (BE).

2023

Effective Capital Expenditure at 6.2% of GDP (BE).

2024

Effective Capital Expenditure at 6.5% of GDP (BE).

2025

Effective Capital Expenditure projected at 6.8% of GDP (BE).

2026

Continued focus on infrastructure development and capital asset creation.

Connected to current news