Constitution of India · Section Article 283
Custody, etc., of Consolidated Funds, Contingency Funds and moneys credited to the public accounts
Article 283 — Custody, etc., of Consolidated Funds, Contingency Funds and moneys credited to the public accounts
- Custody, etc., of Consolidated Funds, Contingency Funds and moneys credited to the public accounts.—(1) The custody of the Consolidated Fund of India and the Contingency Fund of India, the payment of moneys into such Funds, the withdrawal of moneys therefrom, the custody of public moneys other than those credited to such Funds received by or on behalf of the Government of India, their payment into the public account of India and the withdrawal of moneys from such account and all other matters connected with or ancillary to matters aforesaid shall be regulated by law made by Parliament, and, until provision in that behalf is so made, shall be regulated by rules made by the President. (2) The custody of the Consolidated Fund of a State and the Contingency Fund of a State, the payment of moneys into such Funds, the withdrawal of moneys therefrom, the custody of public moneys other than those credited to such Funds received by or on behalf of the Government of the State, their payment into the public account of the State and the withdrawal of moneys from such account and all other matters connected with or ancillary to matters aforesaid shall be regulated by law made by the Legislature of the State, and, until provision in that behalf is so made, shall be regulated by rules made by the Governor 1*** of the State.
Plain English Summary
This article deals with who is responsible for managing and handling the money belonging to the central government (Consolidated Fund of India) and the emergency funds (Contingency Fund of India). It also sets rules for how state governments manage their own funds. Essentially, it mandates that Parliament or State Legislatures must create specific laws to govern these financial matters.
Key Points
- Central Government Funds: The management, payment into, withdrawal from, and custody of the Consolidated Fund and Contingency Fund of India must be regulated by a law made by Parliament.
- State Government Funds: Similarly, the management of funds for State Consolidated Funds and Contingency Funds must be regulated by a law made by the State Legislature.
- Initial Regulation: Until specific laws are made, these matters are initially governed by rules made by the President (for the Centre) or the Governor (for the States).
Why It Matters
This article establishes the legal framework ensuring that public money is managed systematically and legally, preventing arbitrary spending or mismanagement of government finances.
Landmark Judgements
No major landmark judgements.