What are the Components of Union Budget

Every year on the first day of February, the Finance Minister of India presents the Union Budget in the Parliament. Like a typical household budget, the Union Budget contains all components of budget information about the Government's revenues and expenditure during a given financial year.

In this article, we will tell you what Union Budget is and its components. Continue reading.

What is Union Budget?

As mentioned, the Union Budget of India is the summary of the estimated revenues and expenditure of the Government for the applicable financial year. In other words, the Union Budget keeps the account of the Government's finances for a given financial year, i.e., from 1^st April to 31^st March. The Union Budget is also an annual financial statement of the Government of India.

The Finance Minister of India makes a Budget speech in the Parliament every year on the 1^st of February. For example, the current Finance Minister of India – Nirmala Sitharaman – would present the Union Budget 2024 on 1^st February 2024.

The components of Union Budget

The Union Budget of India can be classified into two components – the revenue budget and the capital budget.

1. Revenue Budget

The revenue budget comprises the Government's financial statement of revenue receipts and expenditure for the applicable financial year. Now, what are revenue receipts and revenue expenditure?

Revenue receipts estimate the revenues the Government is expected to receive during a year. They can be from various types of taxes imposed by the Government (such as income tax, corporate tax, GST, excise duty, etc.) and non-taxable sources (such as interest, profit, fees collected for various Government services, fines, etc.)

Revenue expenditure refers to the expenses incurred by the Government for its day-to-day functioning and providing essential public services. That includes operational expenses for Government offices, salaries of Government employees, and subsidies given to the citizens, among other things.

If the revenue expenditure exceeds the revenue receipts, the Government is said to incur a revenue deficit.

2. Capital Budget

Like the revenue budget, the capital budget comprises the Government's capital receipts and payments during the applicable financial year.

Capital receipts either increase the Government's liability or reduce its financial assets. Some of the primary sources of capital receipts for the Government include:

• Loans from the public
• Loans from states and union territories
• Loans from foreign countries
• Loans from the Reserve Bank of India (RBI)
• Sale of treasury bills
• Recovery of debts

On the other hand, capital payments refer to the expenses incurred by the Government to build long-term assets and facilities for public welfare. The examples of capital payments include:

• Construction of roads, schools, hospitals, etc.
• Development and maintenance of equipment
• Development and acquisition of machinery and infrastructure
• Loans granted to states and union territories

The Structure of Union Budget

The Union Budget, or the financial statement, of India, consists of three parts:

·  The consolidated fund of India (CFI)

It contains all the information regarding the government's revenues expected to receive during the applicable financial year. All Government expenses are incurred from this fund after the Parliament's authorisation.

·  The contingency fund of India

The government created and maintained this fund to meet any unforeseen expenses under Article 267 of the Indian constitution. This fund can be used only after the President's assent and refills from the CFI after every use.

·  Public accounts

A specific sum of money is allotted for public accounts. This money is used for various purposes, such as the construction of roads, buildings, etc. The transfer of money to public accounts from the CFI can only be done after Parliament's approval.

To conclude

The presentation of the Union Budget is a crucial annual exercise of the Government. It helps the Government carry out its constitutional duties and allocate resources in the best interest of the country. Understanding the components and structure of the Union budget is crucial as it can help you decode its implications on the country's economy and the general public.