Budget 2022 Live: Digital Rupee To Be Launched By RBI In FY23

The Annual Financial Statement is the set of documents provided by the government through the Ministry of Finance which is tabled before the Lok Sabha. It shows the expenditure and income and expenditure under the following heads :

1. The actuals for one financial year (FY) preceding that in which the budget is presented. For example, in the upcoming budget for FY23, the AFS will show the actuals incurred in FY21, since actuals are only available after the financial year ends.
2. The budgeted estimates for FY22, as presented by the Finance Minister last year
3. The Revised Estimates of FY22, or the revised budget estimates, showing estimates of the on-going financial year. This shall include the funds allocated to different ministries in the course of the year in addition to the budget estimate.
4. The budgeted estimates for the upcoming year FY23

Also Read: Budget Glossary #1: The Annual Financial Statement

What's so special about the Lok Sabha? Why is the Budget presented there?

The Budget is always presented by the Union Finance Minister before the Lok Sabha, since the power to pass legislation on financial matters lies primarily with the lower house of Parliament, which is directly elected by the people of India.

Therefore, all financial matters, that is put before Parliament manifests itself through a Money Bill or Financial Bill, which can only originate in the Lok Sabha. The Rajya Sabha can only propose amendments to Money Bills and Financial Bills, which the Lok Sabha may or may not accept.

Also Read:Budget FAQ #3: Why Is The Budget Presented In Lok Sabha?

An important term: The fiscal deficit

Fiscal deficit is the excess in expenditure over the total non-borrowed receipts of the government in a financial year. It is an indication of the borrowing required by the government, and is usually funded by borrowing from the public.

A fiscal deficit is either caused due to a revenue deficit (actual revenues less the budgeted estimates) or due to excessive expenditure by the government. The calculation takes all of government's expenditure into account, and all the government's revenue and non-debt capital income. The fiscal deficit is expressed as an absolute monetary value, but in common parlance is often expressed as a percentage of Gross Domestic Product (GDP).

The current fiscal deficit target for this financial year (FY22) is 6.8% of GDP

Also Read: BOOM FAQ #4: What Is Fiscal Deficit?

Next, know about the Consolidated Fund of India

It is one of three accounts in the government's Annual Financial Statement (AFS), one of the documents presented during the budget, the other two being the Contingency Fund of India, and the Public Fund. It is the most important account in the AFS.

The Consolidated Fund of India is the main account of the Government of India, where the government receives all tax revenues, proceeds from asset sales and dividends from public-sector undertakings. It is also the fund from where the government undertakes all its expenditure like public spending, social security programs and investments.

Also Read: Budget FAQ #2: What Is The Consolidated Fund Of India?

However, lets get you started with some explainers and glossary terms! 

The Union Budget is an annual statement of the estimated expenditure and income in the coming financial year presented in the parliament by the finance minister. In other words, it's a statement of how much and how the government intends to raise and spend money in the next financial year (FY), along with modifications to the taxation structures of the government.

Also Read:Budget FAQ #1: What Is The Union Budget?

Good morning! FM Nirmala Sitharaman is scheduled to present the Union Budget at 11 AM today

Read our coverage on the Economic Survey below

Also Read:GDP To Grow 9.2% In FY22 And 8-8.5% In FY23: Economic Survey

India's GDP has crossed ₹145 lakh crores, which was the value of India's economy at the end of FY20, which indicates that the Indian economy is back to, and has even exceeded pre-pandemic levels.

On banking, the government had provided a moratorium on the repayment of loans. There was also concern on the impact the pandemic would create on the asset quality of banks. The Economic Survey has said the non-performing asset overhang seems to have declined even after accounting for some lagged impact of the pandemic.

The Economic Survey refers to the healthy government revenues for this financial year. This means that the government will meet its targets for this year, can maintain all support and capital expenditure. The government also has the space to provide added support and packages if needed.