How does the Consolidated Fund of India differ from other sources of government revenue and expenditure?
The Consolidated Fund of India differs from other sources of government revenue and expenditure as it is a fund where all revenues received by the Government of India, whether they are taxes or other receipts, are deposited. This includes revenues from the Central Government, public corporations, and even revenues collected by state governments. The money in this fund is utilized for making payments on behalf of the government. Expenditure charged upon the Consolidated Fund of India includes salaries and pensions to government officials, interest payments on loans, and other such items that do not require approval from Parliament. Other expenditure proposed to be made from the Consolidated Fund of India requires approval from Parliament through a budget process. The distinction between these two types of expenditure is highlighted in clause (a) and (b) of Article 112(2).