Analysing the impact of quality of government expenditure on economic growth: evidence from Indian states

Abstract

Proliferation of endogenous growth theories has engendered different models connecting government expenditure with a country's long-term growth. Numerous studies based on this growth theory revealed that different components of government expenditure have distinct impact on economic growth due to their differing productivity. Following fiscal consolidation measures in India, the quality of states' government expenditure has been compromised periodically. Therefore, overarching purpose of this study is to empirically examine which component of government expenditure more productively contributes to states' economic growth using a panel data of 29 states/union territories over a period 2004-2005 to 2019-2020. Empirical findings ratify a priori, that capital (revenue) expenditure is productive (unproductive) and positively (negatively) impacts states' economic growth, whereas, economic and social services expenditures are unproductive. The findings have some policy implications in order to sustain and enhance the regional economic growth and to maintain fiscal discipline while persevering with fiscal consolidation.