PRINCIPLES OF FEDERAL FINANCEIn the federal finance, we have to study the economic relations between different layers of government. So a new guiding principle has to be laid to allocate the different functions for different layers of the government. The main principle of determining the financial policy of a federal set up is under noted :1. Efficiency: Different sources of public revenue can be handled in the best way at the different levels of the governing bodies (union government, state government and local government) in such a way so as to ensure the maximum efficiency in the collection of public revenue. The nature of certain revenue is national in character while some type of revenues can be allocated on the regional or local basis, e.g. income-tax is collected by the Government of India if it were collected by the states then there would have been a great anomaly because of diversity of tax rates and varied degree of exemption. The union government is empowered to collect all these taxes of its own. On the other hand, the taxes of local origin like land tax, electricity duty, water chargcs can be collected by state government in an efficient manner. This also saves from the problem.2. Uniformity The union government should perform its responsibility in such a manner that all states in a federal set up get uniform treatment. In the tax policy, no state should be put with higher burden of tax and no state should be discriminated for the grant-in-aid or benefits provided to them. The term uniformity means that the system of taxation and pattern of expenditure should be same irrespective of the state. It means that a commodity should be taxed at the same rate, at the same line except some special circumstances. However, financial uniformity does not mean that equal amount is paid by states to the centre but it means that the contribution made by the different states to the central government should be in accordance with the economic situation of the state concerned.3. EconomyAnother principle of allocation of resources between centre and state is the principle of economy. It means that tax collecting system should be based on economy. The collection of tax revenue is so designed that it should have least expense for the purpose and the scope of evasion of tax is minimised. The administrative delay should also be the least.

4. AutonomyUnder the federal set up, the government should be free to operate in the internal financial matters and it should have its own adequate sources of revenue and scope of expenditure. The state government should not look towards other state government for financial help. Each government should be independent to raise its own resources and spend it according to its own choice. Here it should be remembered that autonomy does not imply that a state government has nothing to do with the union government in the federal set up. But the state government is free of control of union government in the case of income and spending. The centre should hesitate to interfere with the function of the states which come strictly under the preview of state governments. The state government, on the other hand, should not interfere with the central government so far as their functions are concerned. It is only possible when there is complete understanding between these two layers of government and their spheres of operations are pre-determined.5. Self-Sufficiency In a federal set up, the provision regarding the allocation of financial resources between union government and state government should be based on the principle of self-sufficiency of fiscal competence. The financial powers should be so demarcated among different layers of the government that there adequate revenue available with both governments to perform their functions efficiently. If the revenue is not sufficient it will hamper the ability of administration of the particular layers of government. It will also result in instability and stagnation. 6. FlexibilityThe principle of the federal system should be flexible enough to meet the fast changing requirements of the economy. The allocation of financial n sources between different layers of the government should not only be on the l>imi iple of fiscal competence or self-sufficiency but also possess flexibility which may change with the passage of time. These provisions should ensure elasticity in i lie finance of the states as well as the union government.7. Economic RegulationsThe financial resources should be allocated in such a manner that the economic system of the federal set up remains stable as a whole. The taxation policy should not be based only on the additional resources mobilisation but it should also consider inflation and deflation, rate of growth and other economic disparities between different sections of the society.

8. Transfer of ResourcesAnother principle of allocation of resources between centre and state government is that there be a provision to transfer the resources from one state to the other. Generally, it is observed that some states are rich while other face the scarcity of resources. So, it requires simultaneous division of resources. 9. Adequacy and ElasticityThe allocation of resources between the central government and state government should be adequate so that each layer of government may be capable to discharge its responsibilities and obligation in a proper manner. Besides adequancy, it must possess the quality of elasticity in the financial resources. It means that there must be feasibility to expand its resource in response to its requirements especially during the period of economic and defence crisis. Financial allocation must have an element of elasticity so that central government and state government may be able to obtain more income to face the crisis or emergencies boldly.10. Integration and Co-ordinationIntegration and co-ordination is essential in the distribution of resources between two-layer governments as it leads to promote economic development in a federal system. The co-ordination is not required in the matter of taxation only but also in every sphere of the financial activities. The coordination of fiscal state and local finance should, however, be concerned not only with taxation. It should also embrace the current budgets, capital outlay programmes and credit operations of various authorities and should be accompanied with a co-ordination of administrative activities as well.11. SuitabitliyAccording to Seligmans another principle of federal finance is suitability. A tax may have wider or narrower jurisdiction. Taxes with narrow jurisdiction cannot be suitable to the central government. Similarly, taxes with wide jurisdiction will not be suitable to local governments. Thus, whether a tax should belong to the states or to the centre should be determined by the width of the tax base. For example, real estate tax which has a narrow base should belong to the local authorities.