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Question

Why do some believe that it is important to restrict the growth of public expenditure ? Suggest how public expenditure might be controlled.

This question was previously asked in
UPSC CSE 2025 (Prelims) CSAT Official Paper (25-May-2025)

Some believe restricting public expenditure growth is crucial for several reasons. Excessive growth can lead to persistent budget deficits and rising public debt, creating a burden for future generations and potentially leading to higher inflation or interest rates. It can also "crowd out" private investment by absorbing loanable funds, thereby hindering long-term economic growth. Furthermore, large public sectors can be inefficient, prone to waste, and distort market incentives, potentially stifling innovation and productivity.

Controlling public expenditure requires a multi-faceted approach:

  1. Fiscal Rules: Implementing legal limits on deficits, debt-to-GDP ratios, or spending growth.
  2. Budgetary Reforms: Adopting performance-based budgeting, zero-based budgeting, or medium-term expenditure frameworks to ensure efficiency and accountability.
  3. Prioritization: Regularly reviewing and prioritizing spending programs, eliminating redundant or ineffective ones.
  4. Cost-Benefit Analysis: Subjecting new projects to rigorous cost-benefit analyses.
  5. Privatization/Deregulation: Shifting some services to the private sector where markets are more efficient.
  6. Public Participation: Enhancing transparency and public involvement in budgetary processes.

Answered By:

Harsh Raj

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