Two broad approaches may be followed for the accounting treatment of government grants: the ‘capital approach’, under which a grant is treated as part of shareholders’ funds, and the ‘income approach’, under which a grant is taken to income over one ormore periods. 2.Those in support of the ‘capital approach’ argue as follows: (i) Many government grants are in the nature of promoters’ contribution, i.e., they are given with reference to the total investment in an undertaking or by way of contribution towards its total capital outlay and no repayment is ordinarily expected in the case of such grants. These should, therefore, be credited directly to shareholders’ funds.

1. Two broad approaches may be followed for the accounting treatment of government grants: the ‘capital approach’, under which a grant is treated as part of shareholders’ funds, and the ‘income approach’, under which a grant is taken to income over one ormore periods. 2.Those in support of the ‘capital approach’ argue as follows: (i) Many government grants are in the nature of promoters’ contribution, i.e., they are given with reference to the total investment in an undertaking or by way of contribution towards its total capital outlay and no repayment is ordinarily expected in the case of such grants. These should, therefore, be credited directly to shareholders’ funds. (ii) It is inappropriate to recognise government grants in the profit and loss statement, since they are not earned but represent an incentive provided by government without related costs An appropriate amount in respect of such earned benefits, estimated on a prudent basis, is credited to income for the year even though the actual amount of such benefits may be finally settled and received after the end of the relevant accounting period. A contingency related to a government grant, arising after the grant has been recognised, is treated in accordance with Accounting Standard (AS) 4, Contingencies and Events Occ urring After the Balance Sheet Date.