Fiscal deficit composition and economic growth relation in India: A time series econometric analysis

Anantha Ramu M R and K Gayithri

MPRA Paper from University Library of Munich, Germany

Abstract: High and persistent fiscal deficit is one of the major macroeconomic problems in India since the mid-1980s. Fiscal consolidation is in the forefront of policy discussion in India not only at present but since the early 1990s. However the actual administrative measure to control it constitutionally by enacting an Act took place in 2003 and the Fiscal Responsibility & Budget Management (FRBM) Act came into force in April 2004. The major reason behind controlling fiscal deficit is its adverse effect on the macro economy, particularly output growth. Monetary policy makers in India (RBI) argue that high deficit will adversely affect growth and hence requires control. But fiscal policy makers (Ministry of Finance) argue that government spending will promote growth. Hence, there exists a puzzle about how fiscal deficit is affecting GDP in India. This paper tries to answer the puzzle by taking up a long-term time series analysis starting from 1980-81 to 2012-13. It also carries a detailed analysis by including the composition of fiscal deficit and its impact on GDP. By adopting a Vector Error Correction method, this paper proves that fiscal deficit is adversely affecting growth and also argues that if fiscal deficit money is spent on capital formation, it promotes growth, supporting the ‘Golden Rule’ of public finance.

Keywords: Fiscal Deficit; Economic Growth; VEC (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: C32 E62 O40 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2016-01, Revised 2016-09-08
New Economics Papers: this item is included in nep-mac
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Citations: View citations in EconPapers (6)

Published in ISEC Working Paper 367.No-367(2016): pp. 1-18

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