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Fiscal Decentralization, the Composition of Public Spending, and Regional Growth in India

Author

Listed:
  • Tao Zhang

    (Development Research Group, The World Bank)

  • Heng-fu Zou

    (Development Research Group, The World Bank)

Abstract

In this paper, we present an analytical model for examining the growth impact of intergovernmental and intersectoral allocation of public expenditure. The model helps us quantify the role of fiscal decentralization in regional economic growth and identify whether central and local allocation of public spending among various sectors are growth-enhancing. Applying our analytical framework to a panel data set of 16 major states in India, we have found that, in many cases of our regressions, fiscal decentralization is positively, and even statistically significantly, associated with state economic growth. The state allocation of public spending in various sectors is broadly consistent with "growth-maximizing", whereas increases in the central allocation of its budget among development projects, nondevelopment projects, and social and community services by cutting the center¡¯s spending on all other functions can promote regional growth. Furthermore, the distortionary effect of the state tax in India is dominated by the productive effect of tax-financed public spending, whereas the reverse holds for the central tax.

Suggested Citation

  • Tao Zhang & Heng-fu Zou, 1997. "Fiscal Decentralization, the Composition of Public Spending, and Regional Growth in India," CEMA Working Papers 521, China Economics and Management Academy, Central University of Finance and Economics.
    • Handle: RePEc:cuf:wpaper:521
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    Cited by:

    1. Martinez-Vazquez, Jorge & McNab, Robert M., 2003. "Fiscal Decentralization and Economic Growth," World Development, Elsevier, vol. 31(9), pages 1597-1616, September.
    2. Loenardo Letelier Saavedra, 2004. "Decentralising the public sector: Fiscal Decentralisation as a Mechanism to Modernise the State - Truths and Myths," ifo DICE Report, ifo Institute - Leibniz Institute for Economic Research at the University of Munich, vol. 2(1), pages 15-20, October.
    3. repec:ces:ifodic:v:2:y:2004:i:1:p:14567690 is not listed on IDEAS
    4. Anwar Shah & Theresa Thompson & Heng-fu Zou, 2004. "Decentralising the public sector: The Impact of Decentralisation on Service Delivery, Corruption, Fiscal Management and Growth in Developing and Emerging Market Economies: A Synthesis of Empirical Evi," ifo DICE Report, ifo Institute - Leibniz Institute for Economic Research at the University of Munich, vol. 2(01), pages 10-14, October.
    5. Jorge Martínez Vázquez & Robert M. McNab, 2006. "Fiscal decentralization, macrostability and growth," Hacienda Pública Española / Review of Public Economics, IEF, vol. 179(4), pages 25-49, September.
    6. M.Govinda Rao & Raghunandan, T.R., 2011. "Panchayats and Economic Development," Working Papers 11/86, National Institute of Public Finance and Policy.
    7. Roy Bahl & Jorge Martinez-Vazquez, 2013. "Sequencing Fiscal Decentralization," Annals of Economics and Finance, Society for AEF, vol. 14(2), pages 641-687, November.
    8. Jorge Martinez-Vazquez & Robert McNab, 1997. "Fiscal Decentralization, Economic Growth, and Democratic Governance," International Center for Public Policy Working Paper Series, at AYSPS, GSU paper9707, International Center for Public Policy, Andrew Young School of Policy Studies, Georgia State University.
    9. Anwar Shah & Theresa Thompson & Heng-fu Zou, 2004. "Decentralising the public sector: The Impact of Decentralisation on Service Delivery, Corruption, Fiscal Management and Growth in Developing and Emerging Market Economies: A Synthesis of Empirical Evi," ifo DICE Report, ifo Institute - Leibniz Institute for Economic Research at the University of Munich, vol. 2(1), pages 10-14, October.

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