Question

No money can be withdrawn from the consolidated Fund of India without the

• A. permission of the Chief Justice of India
• B. permission of the Chief Election Commissioner
• C. authorization by Parliament
• D. authorization by the President of India

Hint:

Remember that the Consolidated Fund of India (Article 266) is controlled by Parliament.
The Contingency Fund of India (Article 267) is placed at the disposal of the President of India for emergency expenses.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is C

Step 1: Understanding the Question: 
The question asks which authority is required to authorize the withdrawal of funds from the Consolidated Fund of India. 
We need to evaluate the constitutional powers of the Judiciary, the Election Commission, the Executive (President), and the Legislature (Parliament). 


Step 2: Detailed Explanation: 

• Under Article 266(1) of the Constitution of India, all revenues received by the Government of India, all loans raised, and all money received in repayment of loans form the Consolidated Fund of India. 

• Article 266(3) explicitly mandates: "No moneys out of the Consolidated Fund of India or the Consolidated Fund of a State shall be appropriated except in accordance with law and for the purposes and in the manner provided in this Constitution." 

• The phrase "in accordance with law" requires that an Appropriation Bill must be introduced and passed by Parliament under Article 114 before any funds can be drawn. 

• The President of India cannot unilaterally authorize withdrawals from this fund, though the President controls the Contingency Fund of India under Article 267 for unforeseen expenditures pending parliamentary approval. 

• The judiciary (Chief Justice) and the Election Commission have no constitutional power to authorize withdrawals of public money, making Options (A) and (B) incorrect. 

• Thus, legislative authorization by Parliament is an absolute requirement for any withdrawal from the Consolidated Fund of India, making Option (C) the correct choice. 

Step 3: Final Answer: 
No money can be withdrawn from the Consolidated Fund of India without authorization by Parliament, which is Option (C).