Municipal finance analysis: The case study of Gujarat (India)

The main objective of this research is to study the role and impact of fiscal decentralization on the macroeconomic stability of the country. The paper analyzes and systematizes approaches to the definition of ‘macroeconomic stability’ concept. The key factors that impact macroeconomic stability are identified. In the framework of this research, the authors identify fiscal decentralization as one of the factors affecting macroeconomic stability. To determine the strength and statistical significance of the above mentioned relationship, the authors suggest presenting macroeconomic stability as a functional dependency between macroeconomic stability and the level of fiscal decentralization, which is described by the following variables: the growth rate of money supply, investment and openness of the economy, fiscal decentralization. In this case, it is suggested to determine the level of fiscal decentralization in three directions: expenditure decentralization, revenue decentralization and expenditure decentralization simultaneously.

Nowadays in Ukrainian realities decentralization, as a process of expanding and strengthening the rights and powers of administrative-territorial units, contributes to the development of financial innovations, the accessibility of public goods, and improvements in the quality of life of the population.
The aim of the article goal is developing the recommendations for improving the financial support of the regions by introducing new tools of influence of communities and local self-governments on the economic growth of territories.
Using the methods of factor analysis, regression analysis, and significant components, the article determines the impact of regional economic development on the revenues of local budgets. The empirical findings show the close correlation between budgetary decentralization and industrial capabilities of the regions. A cluster analysis was carried out to identify the asymmetries of regional development in terms of financial capacity. It enabled to distinguish homogeneous groups of areas according to the indicators of their economic development. On this basis the authors substantiated the necessity of entrepreneurial activity stimulating, increasing the number of companies, and promoting a continuous flow of goods (works, services) from the producer to the consumer in different regions of Ukraine.

With the deepening of global financial and economic instability, the search for ways to increase fiscal sustainability becomes relevant in the crisis regulation system. This problem is compounded by the emergence of new global challenges, including the COVID pandemic. Timely and complex analysis of the local budget financial sustainability allows one to comprehensively assess financial and economic risks, identify social and other problems, consider planning deficiencies and, on this basis, form a sound and effective regional budget policy. The purpose of the study is to summarize theoretical and practical principles of assessing the financial sustainability of local budgets and to outline the directions for its improvement in Ukraine considering international practices.
The study revealed the lack of a unified system for assessing the financial sustainability of local budgets in Ukraine. On the basis of generalization of theoretical and methodological approaches, a system of indicators for estimating the financial sustainability of local budgets has been identified. The indicators were grouped and calculated. Based on the study of practical experience, measures have been specified that would contribute to a systematic approach to assessing the financial sustainability of local budgets in Ukraine.
It was concluded that a systematic assessment of the financial sustainability of local budgets is a prerequisite for making informed management decisions about necessary adjustments to the budget, improving the quality of budget planning and the effectiveness of budget policy.