Hindu Administrative Institutions c9.s3.17

c9.s3.17

Again the principle of balancing of the budget was a factor then reckoned very important. Kauṭalya lays down the healthy recommendation, namely, that the minister of finance should endeavour his best to increase the items of income and decrease proportionately the items of expenditure.¹ This simply means that the state must not waste the money on useless and unproductive works. As the treasury is the safety-valve of the state, the authority in power must see that the treasury is always replenished with treasure. There seem to have been limits beyond which, save under exceptional circumstances, the treasury should not be drawn upon.