Consider the following statements. If the fiscal deficit ratio is too ...
The correct answer is option 'A', i.e., statement 1 only is correct.
Explanation:
1. If the fiscal deficit ratio is too high, it leads to higher rates of interest for the borrowings of private entrepreneurs and businesses.
- Fiscal deficit refers to the excess of government expenditure over its total revenue. When the fiscal deficit ratio is too high, it indicates that the government is spending more than it is earning. To bridge this gap, the government borrows money from various sources, such as individuals, banks, and foreign investors. However, when the fiscal deficit is high, it creates a higher demand for borrowing, which leads to a higher demand for loans in the market.
- Increased borrowing by the government can crowd out private borrowing. This means that when the government borrows a significant amount of money from the market, it reduces the availability of funds for private entrepreneurs and businesses. As a result, the interest rates for private borrowings increase. This is because the limited pool of funds available for borrowing leads to higher competition among borrowers, driving up the interest rates.
- Therefore, statement 1 is correct as a high fiscal deficit ratio leads to higher rates of interest for the borrowings of private entrepreneurs and businesses.
2. The Fiscal Responsibility and Budget Management (FRBM) Act, 2003 suggests bringing the fiscal deficit down to about 3% plus or minus 2% of the GDP.
- The FRBM Act, 2003 is an Indian legislation that aims to ensure fiscal discipline and reduce the fiscal deficit to a sustainable level. As per the Act, the target for the fiscal deficit is set at 3% of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP).
- The Act also allows for a tolerance limit of plus or minus 2% of the GDP. This means that the fiscal deficit can range from 1% to 5% of the GDP.
- The objective of setting a target for the fiscal deficit is to maintain macroeconomic stability, control inflation, and prevent excessive government borrowing, which can lead to higher interest rates and crowding out of private investment.
- Therefore, statement 2 is incorrect as the FRBM Act, 2003 suggests bringing the fiscal deficit down to about 3% plus or minus 2% of the GDP, not specifically to 3%.
In conclusion, statement 1 is correct, while statement 2 is incorrect.
Consider the following statements. If the fiscal deficit ratio is too ...
- If the fiscal deficit ratio is too high, it implies that there is a lesser amount of money left in the market for private entrepreneurs and businesses to borrow.
- Lesser amount of this money, in turn, leads to higher rates of interest charged on such lending.
- A high fiscal deficit and higher interest rates would also mean that the efforts of the Reserve Bank of India to reduce interest rates are undone.
The Fiscal Responsibility and Budget Management (FRBM) Act, 2003, intends to bring transparency and accountability in the conduct of the fiscal and monetary actions of the government.
The rules set targets for the phased reduction of the fiscal deficit to acceptable levels. It requires the government to limit the fiscal deficit to 3% of the GDP by 31 March 2021 and the debt of the central government to 40% of the GDP by 2024-25, among others.