🧾 Article 282 of the Indian Constitution
Title: Expenditure defrayable by the Union or a State out of its revenues
🔍 Explanation:
Article 282 provides discretionary powers to the Union and State Governments to make grants for any public purpose, even if the matter is not within their legislative competence.
📘 Key Provisions of Article 282:
| Provision | Details |
|---|---|
| Union Government | May make grants for any public purpose, even if the subject is not in the Union List. |
| State Government | May also make similar grants from its revenue for any public purpose. |
| Discretionary Nature | These expenditures are optional, not mandatory. |
| Objective | Enables flexibility in funding welfare schemes, development projects, or emergency relief efforts. |
📊 Summary Chart: Article 282
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Article | 282 |
| Title | Expenditure defrayable by the Union or a State |
| Applies to | Both Union and State Governments |
| Purpose | To allow grants for public purposes, even beyond legislative competence |
| Type of Power | Discretionary / Optional expenditure |
| Examples | - Natural disaster relief- Health or education grants to NGOs- Special funding to states or UTs |
🧠 Importance of Article 282:
-
Provides flexibility to respond to urgent or social welfare needs.
-
Supports cooperative federalism where Centre and States can fund beyond their domain for the public good.
-
Used for schemes like PMGSY, MPLADs, MLALADs, and special disaster funds.
Here is a visual flowchart showing the financial relationship and functions of Articles 280, 281, and 282 of the Indian Constitution:
🔁 Flowchart: Financial Coordination under Articles 280–282
┌────────────────────────┐
│ Article 280 │
│ Finance Commission │
└─────────┬──────────────┘
│
┌──────────────────────▼────────────────────────┐
│ President constitutes Finance Commission │
│ Every 5 years (or earlier if needed) │
└──────────────────────┬────────────────────────┘
│
┌──────────────────▼──────────────────┐
│ FC recommends: │
│ • Tax sharing (Union-State) │
│ • Grants-in-aid to States │
│ • Other financial matters │
└──────────────────┬──────────────────┘
│
┌─────────▼─────────┐
│ Article 281 │
│ Finance Commission│
│ report submitted │
└─────────┬─────────┘
│
┌────────────────────────────▼────────────────────────────┐
│ President lays report + explanatory memorandum │
│ before Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha │
└──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘
│
▼
Parliament reviews → Govt accepts/rejects/partly accepts
│
▼
┌─────────▼─────────┐
│ Article 282 │
│ Discretionary Grants│
└────────────────────┘
│
┌─────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│ Union or State may make **optional grants** │
│ for **any public purpose**, even outside │
│ their legislative list │
└─────────────────────────────────────────────┘
🧠 How They Work Together:
-
Article 280 creates the Finance Commission, the foundation of revenue-sharing.
-
Article 281 ensures the transparency and accountability of Finance Commission recommendations.
-
Article 282 gives flexibility to Union and States to support welfare, relief, or development outside their constitutional limits.
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