UPSC Previous Year Question | Prelims GS | 2024

With reference to the Union Budget, consider the following statements: 1. The Union Finance Minister, on behalf of the Prime Minister, lays the Annual Financial Statement before both Houses of Parliament. 2. At the Union level, no demand for a grant can be made except on the recommendation of the President of India. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. 1 only
  2. 2 only
  3. Both 1 and 2
  4. Neither 1 nor 2

Answer

Correct Answer

2 only

Explanation

Statement 1 is incorrect because Article 112 provides that the President causes the Annual Financial Statement to be laid before both Houses of Parliament; it is not laid on behalf of the Prime Minister. Statement 2 is correct: under Article 113, a demand for a grant may be made only on the recommendation of the President. Therefore, only statement 2 is correct.

Topics: annual financial statement and grants, parliamentary financial procedure, polity, union budget