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Article 298

Part XII — Finance, Property, Contracts and Suits · Constitution of India

Article 298

Power to carry on trade, etc. The executive power of the Union and of each State shall extend to the carrying on of any trade or business and to the acquisition, holding and disposal of property and the making of contracts for any purpose: Provided that— (a) the said executive power of the Union shall, in so far as such trade or business or such purpose is not one with respect to which Parliament may make laws, be subject in each State to legislation by the State; and (b) the said executive power of each State shall, in so far as such trade or business or such purpose is not one with respect to which the State Legislature may make laws, be subject to legislation by Parliament.

In plain wordsBoth the central and state governments can run businesses, buy and sell property, and sign contracts for any purpose. Public sector companies and government commercial activity stand on this footing.
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