Section 31 of The Government of National Capital Territory of Delhi Act, 1991 in hindi
Votes on account.
- (1)Notwithstanding anything in the foregoing provisions of this Part, the Legislative Assembly shall have power to make any grant in advance in respect of the estimated expenditure for a part of any financial year pending the completion of the procedure prescribed in section 28 for the voting of such grant and the passing of the law in accordance with the provisions of section 29 in relation to that expenditure and the Legislative Assembly shall have power to authorise by law the withdrawal of moneys from the Consolidated Fund of the Capital for the purposes for which the said grant is made.
- (2)The provisions of sections 28 and 29 shall have effect in relation to the making of any grant under sub-section (1) or to any law to be made under that sub-section as they have effect in relation to the making of a grant with regard to any expenditure mentioned in the annual financial statement and the law to be made for the authorisation of appropriation of moneys, out of the Consolidated Fund of the Capital to meet such expenditure.
Summary
- The Legislative Assembly can vote to grant money in advance to cover estimated expenses for a part of the financial year.
- This advance grant is made while the regular voting of estimates under Section 28 and the passing of the appropriation law under Section 29 are still pending.
- The Assembly has the power to pass a law authorizing money to be taken out of the Consolidated Fund of the Capital (the main government account) to pay for the services covered by this advance grant.
- The procedures for voting on estimates under Section 28 and passing appropriation laws under Section 29 also apply to these advance grants and their related laws.
Practical examples
FAQ
1. What is a vote on account?
It is a special vote by the Legislative Assembly that grants permission to spend money in advance for a part of the year. This keeps the government running while the assembly is still debating and finalizing the main yearly budget.
2. Where does the money for a vote on account come from?
The money is withdrawn from the Consolidated Fund of the National Capital Territory of Delhi, which is the main account where all government revenues are kept.
3. Do the normal rules for passing budget bills apply to these advance grants?
Yes. The Act says that the rules under Section 28 for voting on estimated expenses and Section 29 for passing appropriation bills (bills that authorize spending) also apply to these advance grants.
Test yourself
Q1.Under Section 31 of The Government of National Capital Territory of Delhi Act, 1991, what is the primary purpose of a vote on account?
Q2.Under Section 31 of The Government of National Capital Territory of Delhi Act, 1991, which two sections of the Act contain the procedures that must also apply when making an advance grant or passing its authorizing law?
Q3.Under Section 31 of The Government of National Capital Territory of Delhi Act, 1991, what must the Legislative Assembly do to legally withdraw money from the Consolidated Fund of the Capital for an advance grant?
Q4.If the Legislative Assembly of Delhi wants to make an advance grant under Section 31 of The Government of National Capital Territory of Delhi Act, 1991, how does the estimation process relate to Section 28?