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Art. 203 Part VI: The States

Procedure in Legislature With Respect to Estimates

Exact text — Constitution of India

(1) So much of the estimates as relates to expenditure charged upon the Consolidated Fund of a State shall not be submitted to the vote of the Legislative Assembly, but nothing in this clause shall be construed as preventing the discussion in the Legislature of any of those estimates. (2) So much of the said estimates as relates to other expenditure shall be submitted in the form of demands for grants to the Legislative Assembly, and the Legislative Assembly shall have power to assent, or to refuse to assent, to any demand, or to assent to any demand subject to a reduction of the amount specified therein.

In Plain English

What this Article actually means

The state-level mirror of Article 113 — the same 'charged' vs. voted-expenditure distinction, with the Legislative Assembly specifically (not the Council, even where one exists) holding the power to approve, reject, or reduce spending demands.
Why This Matters To You

How it shows up in everyday life

This is why the State Assembly, not the Legislative Council, holds the real budgetary power at the state level — mirroring the Lok Sabha's exclusive financial authority over the Rajya Sabha.

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Frequently Asked

Quick answers about Article 203

Does the Legislative Council have any say in approving state spending demands?
No — like Money Bills, this specific budgetary approval power rests exclusively with the Legislative Assembly, not the Council, even in states that have one.

The text above reproduces Article 203 of the Constitution of India as amended to date, for general educational reference. It is public-domain legislative text, but we recommend cross-checking the authoritative version at legislative.gov.in or india.gov.in before relying on it for a legal matter. The explanation, examples and FAQs are general information, not legal advice — consult a qualified advocate for guidance on your specific situation.