Previous Year Question
Match List-I with List-II and choose the correct answer using the codes given below the lists:
List-I (State) | List-II (Rank according to expenditure on infrastructure 2019–23) |
A. Maharashtra | 1. First |
B. Uttar Pradesh | 2. Second |
C. Tamil Nadu | 3. Third |
D. Karnataka | 4. Fourth |
Codes:
A–1, B–2, C–3, D–4
A–2, B–1, C–3, D–4
A–4, B–1, C–2, D–3
A–2, B–3, C–1, D–4
Correct Answer: B
Detailed Solution
For the five-year period from financial year 2018–19 to 2022–23, the order of the listed states was Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu and Karnataka. The question’s reference to “2019–23” corresponds here to FY19–FY23.
The total capital expenditure figures presented for this period are:
State | Expenditure, approximately ₹ lakh crore | Rank |
Uttar Pradesh | 5.31 | First |
Maharashtra | 4.39 | Second |
Tamil Nadu | 2.84 | Third |
Karnataka | 2.76 | Fourth |
Uttar Pradesh’s expenditure exceeded Maharashtra’s by approximately ₹0.92 lakh crore, or ₹92,000 crore. The difference between Tamil Nadu and Karnataka was approximately ₹0.08 lakh crore, or ₹8,000 crore. Therefore, Tamil Nadu ranked third and Karnataka fourth.
Capital Expenditure, or CAPEX, includes expenditure associated with creating long-term assets such as roads, bridges, irrigation projects, schools and hospitals. The question’s comparison of infrastructure expenditure is based on this compilation of capital expenditure.
This ranking is based on the total amount spent. It should not be confused with per capita expenditure, the size of a state’s economy or a single year’s ranking. In particular, Maharashtra having a larger economy does not mean that it also recorded the highest capital expenditure during this period.