Public Debt
In the 18th and 19th centuries, the role of the state was minimum.
But since 20th century there has been enormous increase in the responsibilities
f the state. Hence the state has to supplement the traditional revenue sources
with borrowing from individuals, and institutions within and outside the
country. The amount of borrowing is huge in the under developed countries to
finance development activities. The debt burden is a big problem and most of
the countries are in debt trap.
“The debt is the form of promises by the Treasury to pay to the
holders of these promises a principal sum and in most instances interest on the
principal. Borrowing is resorted to in order to provide funds for financing a
current deficit.”– Philip E.Taylor
“The receipt from the sale
of financial instruments by the government to individuals or firms in the
private sector, to induce the private sector to release manpower and real
resources and to finance the purchase of these resources or to make welfare
payments or subsidies”.– Carl S.Shoup
i) Internal public debt
An internal public debt is a loan taken by the Government from the
citizens or from different institutions within the country. An internal public
debt only involves transfer of wealth.
The main sources of internal public debt are as follows:
·
Individuals, who purchase government bonds and securities;
·
Banks, both private and public, buy bonds from the Government.
·
Non-financial institutions like UTI, LIC, GIC etc. also buy the
Government bonds.
·
Central Bank can lend the Government in the form of money supply.
The Central Bank can also issue money to meet the expenditures of the
Government.
ii) External public debt
When a loan is taken from abroad or from an international
organisation it is called external public debt. The main sources of External
public debt are IMF, World Bank, IDA and ADB etc. Loan from other countries and
the Governments.
The causes for enormous growth of public debt may be studied under
the following sub-headings:
1. War and Preparation of war
Waging war has become one of the important causes for incurring
debts by the governments. In modern times, the preparation for war and nuclear
defence programmes take away the major share of the government’s revenue and so
it incurs debt.
2. Social obligations
Modern states are considered to be ‘Welfare States’ and they have
to undertake many social obligations like public health, sanitation,
education,insurance, transport and communications, etc., besides providing the
minimum necessaries of life to the citizens of the country. To finance these,
the State has to incur a heavy public debt.
3. Economic Development and Deficit
The government has to undertake many projects for economic
development of the country. Construction of railways, power projects,
irrigation projects, heavy industries, etc., could be thought of only by means
of mobilising resources in the form of public debt. Due to heavy public
expenditure, the governments always face deficit budget. Such deficits have to
be financed only through borrowings.
4. Employment
Most of the governments of modern days face the problem of
unemployment and it has become the duty to solve this by making huge public
expenditure. To solve the unemployment problem, and to fight recession, the
government has to make huge expenditures. For this the States have to resort to
public debt.
5. Controlling inflation
The Government can withdraw excess money from circulation, by
raising public debt and thus prevent prices from rising.
6. Fighting depression
During the depression phase, private investment is lacking. The
Government applies compensatory public spending by borrowing from internal and
external sources.
The process of repaying a public debt is called redemption. The
Government sells securities to the public and at the time of maturity, the
person who holds the security surrenders it to the Government. The following
methods are adopted for debt redemption.
(1) Sinking Fund
Under this method, the Government establishes a separate fund
known as “Sinking Fund”. The Government credits every year a fixed amount of
money to this fund. By the time the debt matures, the fund accumulates enough
amount to pay off the principal along with interest. This method was first
introduced in England by Walpol.
(2) Conversion
Conversion of loans is another method of redemption of public
debt. It means that an old loan is converted into a new loan. Under this system
a high interest public debt is converted into a low interest public debt.
Dalton felt that debt conversion actually relaxes the debt burden.
(3) Budgetary Surplus
When the Government presents surplus budget, it can be utilised
for repaying the debt. Surplus occurs when public revenue exceeds the public
expenditure. However, this method is rarely possible.
(4) Terminal Annuity
In this method, Government pays off the public debt on the basis
of terminal annuity in equal annual instalments. This is the easiest way of
paying off the public debt.
(5) Repudiation
It is the easiest way for the Government to get rid of the burden of
payment of a loan. In such cases, the Government does not recognise its
obligation to repay the loan. It is certainly not paying off a loan but
destroying it. However, in normal case the Government does not do so; if done
it will lose its credibility.
(6) Reduction in Rate of Interest
Another method of debt redemption is the compulsory reduction in
the rate of interest, during the time of financial crisis.
(7) Capital Levy
When the Government imposes levy on the capital assets owned by an
individual or any institution, it is called capital levy. This levy is imposed
on capital assets above a minimum limit on a progressive scale. The fund so
collected can be used by the Government for paying off war time debt
obligations. This is the most controversial method of debt repayment.
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