Hindu Administrative Institutions c9.s3.5

c9.s3.5

Śukra, the economist, agrees with Kauṭalya the politician in distinguishing two kinds of expenditure: the every-day expenses which had to be incurred to satisfy the absolutely necessary wants, and expenditure in services of public benefit which are profitable investments in the long run.¹ Referring to expenditure in a general sense Śukrāchārya speaks, of ordinary consumption² or that which is destroyed in the act of consuming, and productive consumption, which is an outlay of expenses on a particular undertaking to yield profit in the long run. The first division includes items of expenditure which are required for every-day consumption and for the running of all departments functioning in the state. These include expenses incurred for the royal household, the harem, the kitchen, storehouse, firewood, fodder, museum of birds and beasts, manufactories, labourers, military establishments, warehouses, civil and other officials, gifts to temples and other charitable institutions, and such other expenses which are essential for carrying on the work of administration.¹