|
on Central and Western Asia |
| By: | OECD |
| Abstract: | Following the May 2008 earthquake in China, government officials visited the OECD, Italy and Turkey to draw lessons from international experience in seismic safety. |
| Date: | 2009–06 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:oec:eduaac:2009/7-en&r=cwa |
| By: | Hazama, Yasushi |
| Abstract: | Two groups of questions were addressed in this paper: (1) Is voter punishment of the incumbent the primary factor in electoral volatility? Are there any other types of vote swings that underlie volatility? (2) In general, does a decline in economic growth destabilize voter behavior? If so, what kinds of vote swings does an economic downturn tend to generate? Provincial-level panel data analysis yielded the following results: (1) Changes in volatility is primarily due to vote swings from the incumbent to the opposition and also to and from left-wing and right-wing parties. (2) Lower economic growth increases electoral volatility. Economic decline induces vote swings not only from the government to the opposition but also from left-wing to right-wing parties. This is probably because right-wing parties seem more concerned with economic issues and are thus more popular than left-wing parties with lower-income voters. |
| Keywords: | Electoral volatility, Economic voting, Panel analysis, Elections, Turkey |
| Date: | 2009–05 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:jet:dpaper:dpaper202&r=cwa |
| By: | Tarun Jain |
| Abstract: | Competition law is different from other branches of law. It is not about the fairness or morality to be instilled in the actions which mark societal behaviour. Instead the rules of competition reflect economic principles, designed to render the operation of the markets in a manner beneficial to the common good.This article examines the regulatory structure in vogue under the EC competition law and to identify the key traits which may as well be applicable for the recently formulated Competition Commission of India, in its quest towards rendering competition workable in the Indian markets. |
| Keywords: | competition law, European Economic Commission, regulatory structure, Competition Commission of India, legal studies, international trade, trade laws, economic reform, India, India-Europe |
| Date: | 2009 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ess:wpaper:id:2057&r=cwa |
| By: | Tim Dyson |
| Abstract: | This paper presents a lecture delivered by the author under The Pravin Visaria Public Lecture in GIDR. India has made considerable demographic progress since 1947; however it seems that the country’s population will reach about 1.4 billion by the year 2026. In case of mortality, despite major health problems, the average life expectancy will continue to rise during medium term future. Although India’s coming demographic expansion pose some challenges, it also carries significant benefit in the form of ‘demographic bonus ’. Urbanization is also expected to continue. Thus it seems that India’s prospects are significantly more upbeat over the medium term future. |
| Keywords: | India; population; demography; education; fertility; mortality; India’s family planning program; contraception; migration; urbanization. |
| Date: | 2009 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ess:wpaper:id:2067&r=cwa |
| By: | Rao, M. Govinda (National Institute of Public Finance and Policy) |
| Abstract: | Founder Director of National Institute of Public Finance and Policy, Raja Jesudoss Chelliah, a renowned economist, the doyen among Indian public finance scholars, the architect of tax reforms in the country has passed away on April 7, 2009. He'll be remembered for conceptualising and implementing India's tax reforms, even as his early books on fiscal policy are still widely referred to says M. Govinda Rao in Business Standard, April 9, 2009, p.8. |
| Date: | 2009–04 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:npf:wpaper:09/01&r=cwa |
| By: | D Subbarao |
| Abstract: | The global economy is passing through its deepest financial and economic crisis of our time. Protecting the Indian economy from the worst impact of the crisis has been a big challenge for the government and the Reserve Bank. The industries, business and investors had to go through challenging adjustments in these difficult times. [Speech delivered at the Financial Management Summit 2009 organized by the Economic Times, Mumbai]. |
| Keywords: | global, India, indian economy, financial, economic government, industry, industries, investors, financial, |
| Date: | 2009 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ess:wpaper:id:2040&r=cwa |
| By: | Eswar S. Prasad |
| Abstract: | In this paper, the author analyzes India’s approach to capital account liberalization through the lens of the new literature on financial globalization. India’s authorities have taken a cautious and calibrated path to capital account opening, which has served the economy well in terms of reducing its vulnerability to crises. By now, the capital account has become quite open and reversing this is not a viable option. Moreover, the remaining capital controls are rapidly becoming ineffective, making the debate about capital controls rather moot. Managing de facto financial integration into international capital markets and aligning domestic macroeconomic policies in a manner that maximizes the indirect benefits and reduces the risks is the key challenge now facing India’s policymakers on this front.[IZA DP No. 3927] |
| Keywords: | India, international financial integration, capital flows, capital controls |
| Date: | 2009 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ess:wpaper:id:2043&r=cwa |
| By: | Seema Jayachandran |
| Abstract: | Medical research indicates that breastfeeding suppresses post-natal fertility. The implications for breastfeeding decisions and test the model's predictions us- ing survey data from India are modelled. |
| Keywords: | female, gender gap, water, food, mothers, environment, birth control, health, medical research, sons, daughters, post natal, fertility, breastfeeding, survey data, girls, India, child mortality, |
| Date: | 2009 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ess:wpaper:id:2041&r=cwa |
| By: | Pandey, Manoj K. |
| Abstract: | In this paper, the trend and determinants of health and poverty among the elderly in rural India is analysed. Two rounds of National Sample Survey (NSS) data for the year 1995-96 and 2004 are employed. The analysis has been done with independent and pooled datasets. Our analysis shows that levels of consumption poverty have declined marginally between 1995-96 and 2004 while increased proportion of elderly with poor health status is continued. Results suggest that poverty is one of the key determinants of health among elderly in rural India. |
| Keywords: | health; poverty; elderly |
| JEL: | J14 I12 I32 |
| Date: | 2009–06–25 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:pra:mprapa:15926&r=cwa |
| By: | Rajesh Shukla |
| Abstract: | This paper is an attempt to focus on the role of Science and Technology (S&T) on regional development of India by considering 21 Indian states. The Index approach using the Principal Component technique has been adopted. For analysing the impact, a set of three indices focussing on Current Economic Status, S & T and Welfare has been calculated. Further, using the S&T Index as the basis, the states have been classified into four major categories. Inter and intra-group comparisons are discussed. [NCAER WP NO 98] |
| Keywords: | Science and Technology; regional disparity; development; regional development; liberalisation; contruction; composite index; Principal Components; indicators; welfare indictors; India; Benchmarking results; intra-group comparisons |
| Date: | 2009 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ess:wpaper:id:2051&r=cwa |
| By: | Pandey, Manoj K.; Kaur, Charanjit |
| Abstract: | This paper examines the trend and economic determinants of the suicidal deaths in India. Time-series data over the period 1967-2006 is used from various sources. The paper analyzes the suicidal trend and exploratory relationships between suicide rate and some of the demographic and other economic variates. Further, we use ARDL model to find out the association between suicide and some economic variables. We find that inflation, per capita real GDP and industrial growth encourages the incidences of suicides whereas increased per capita household income helps in reducing suicidal deaths in India. |
| Keywords: | Suicide; Economic factors; Trends; Time series; ARDL model |
| JEL: | I12 C22 |
| Date: | 2009–04–15 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:pra:mprapa:15732&r=cwa |
| By: | Amit. K. Bhandari |
| Abstract: | Financial inclusion is the broad based delivery of banking and other financial services at affordable cost to the poorest sections of the society. In India, financial inclusion emphasizes to include maximum number of people under formal financial systems. The present study investigates the drive to financial inclusion in the form of the growth in bank accounts of scheduled commercial banks and the changes in below poverty line population. The result suggests that the growth in bank accounts is not significantly associated with the reduction in below poverty line population across states. As a poverty reduction strategy, developing inclusive financial systems should give priority, which is financially and socially sustainable. [IZA DP no.4132] |
| Keywords: | India; banking; poverty; poverty reduction; financial inclusion |
| Date: | 2009 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ess:wpaper:id:2070&r=cwa |
| By: | Simanti Bandyopadhyay |
| Abstract: | The paper aims to assess the fiscal health of five urban agglomerations (UAs) in India viz. Delhi, Hyderabad, Kolkata, Chennai, and Pune. The sample consists of five corporations and sixty three smaller Urban Local Bodies (ULBs) dispersed in thirteen districts of five major states. The main objective of the paper is twofold. First, to review the status of revenue generation and expenditure responsibilities of the constituent ULBs. Second, to assess the magnitudes of their fiscal gaps by estimating the expenditure needs and revenue capacities and give some useful recommendations to reduce these gaps. Data on ULB finances for the financial year 2004-05 collected through surveys are used for the analysis.[NIPFP WP NO 58] |
| Keywords: | Expenditure Needs; Revenue Capacity; Fiscal Gap |
| Date: | 2009 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ess:wpaper:id:2058&r=cwa |
| By: | Renu Addlakha |
| Abstract: | Throughout the ages the disabled have been looked down upon with disdain, almost as if they were sub-human. While today there is a general recognition of the need to enhance educational and employment opportunities for persons with disabilities in order to promote economic self-reliance and independent living, their sexual needs, dreams and aspirations are more or less rendered invisible. Sexual and reproductive rights are considered irrelevant for persons with disabilities in India. Using qualitative data, this paper discusses notions of sexual identity among urban Indian youth through case studies of college students in Delhi. Gender emerges as a key analytical category in perceptions of sexuality among young men and women with visual and locomotor disabilities. The paper does not make claims to capturing the complex reality of ‘disabled sexuality’ in India, but highlights some key issues in a hither-to largely under-researched domain. [CWDS] |
| Keywords: | Gender Subjectivity; Sexual Identity; disability; sexuality; dependence |
| Date: | 2009 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ess:wpaper:id:2075&r=cwa |
| By: | Mehtabul Azam |
| Abstract: | This paper examines the differences in welfare, as measured by per capita expenditure (PCE), between social groups in rural India across the entire welfare distribution. The paper establishes that the disadvantage suffered by two historically disadvantaged groups – Scheduled Castes (SCs) and Scheduled Tribes (STs) – is underestimated when the comparison group is Non-SCs/STs rather than general category (mostly higher castes). The ST households are the most disadvantaged followed by the SC and the Other Backward Caste households with respect to general category households, and the disadvantage exists across the entire distribution. Better covariates and better returns to those covariates contribute to the advantage of the general category households. The findings suggest that the policies to raise the human capital and strengthening the other productive assets of the SC and the ST households must remain a focus of attention besides promoting a more active labor market in rural India.[IZA DP No. 3973] |
| Keywords: | India; social groups; inequality; quantile regression decomposit |
| Date: | 2009 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ess:wpaper:id:2047&r=cwa |
| By: | Sunny Jose |
| Abstract: | The paper is an attempt to review critically the association between women’s paid work and empowerment in India. As a prelude, the author seek to assess the extent of women’s participation in paid work during the last three decades (section two), and offer a glimpse into the nature and quality of women’s work in India (section three). A discussion on the probable causes underlying women’s participation in paid work becomes necessary (section four) so as to assess and contextualise the empowering potentials of women’s paid work (section five). An attempt will also be made to reflect on the issues arising from the assessment with a view to suggest, if necessary, possible directions for further work (section six).[CWDS OP] |
| Keywords: | Women’s Paid Work; empowerment; India; economic activities; NSSO; workforce; urban; NREP; TRSEM: JRY; RLEGP; EAS |
| Date: | 2009 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ess:wpaper:id:2064&r=cwa |
| By: | Vadlamannati, Krishna Chaitanya |
| Abstract: | We attempt to quantify economic reforms process in India during the period 1960 – 2006 in seven key areas viz., international finance, domestic finance, fiscal, trade and commerce, business regulations, public sector and social sector. Apart from aggregate measure of economic reforms, we also present the reforms index in these seven areas for the period 1960 – 2006. We begin with the methodology adopted to construct these indices and review the history of reforms process in India in general and in seven sectors from 1960 to 2006. We then present some important stylized facts on reforms. They show that reforms process has not always been uniform across the time in all the seven sectors. Reasonably liberal country was reversed back to regulations and restrictions during the mid-1960s – early 1980s. Though reforms process began in the 1980s they were not sufficient to undo the distorting policies adopted for over four decades. Amidst political chaos, economic crisis and social tensions, India began its true journey of reforming its economy. The period after 1990 witnessed a very significant opening of the economy to the world market. The change in reforms indices were the highest during the period 1991 – 2000. By the mid-2000, there was a widespread agreement and policy convergence in all seven sectors. However, there is much less convergence in public sector reforms because the privatization process has significantly slowed down and government control is many public sector undertakings are still reasonably high. Lastly, though there is significant variation in social sector reforms index, still there is a lot which needs to be done to include bottom sections of the society into the growth story of India. |
| Keywords: | Economic reforms; India. |
| JEL: | O53 P21 O2 |
| Date: | 2009–01–08 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:pra:mprapa:15901&r=cwa |
| By: | R.Kavita Rao |
| Abstract: | The paper contours of a feasible design of VAT in India. It also takes on board the various alternatives proposed. It looks at the issues that need resolution and the options available for resolving the same and provides estimates of the rates of tax that would ensure that the regime is revenue neutral. It also illustrates the differential impact across states, under one configuration and works with the assumption that there is only one rate of tax under the new regime. [NIPFP WP No. 57] |
| Keywords: | goods and services tax; India; Indirect tax; VAT; empowered committee; State Finance Ministers; environmental issues; non-rebatable excises; inter-state transactions; tax evasion; TINXSYS; C-form; transport; intra-community transport of goods; ancillary services; taxpayers; Revenue Neutral Rates; tobacco products; multi - utility vehicles; electrical duty; entertainment tax; Private Final Consumption Expenditure; GDP; Estimates; Consumption expenditure; Excisable Goods; CenVAT; Union Government. |
| Date: | 2009 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ess:wpaper:id:2055&r=cwa |
| By: | Y V Reddy |
| Abstract: | The author has given practitioner’s perspective of fiscal policy, and economic reforms. Despite considerable improvement in the fiscal scenario, both at the centre and in the states, India’s combined fiscal deficit (centre and state), as a percentage of GDP, still continues to be one of the highest in the world. It is noteworthy that most of the risky elements were present in the Indian economy for several years, almost all through the reform period, and yet the economy exhibited macro-stability and impressive growth even while withstanding some significant domestic and global shocks. In view of this evidence, the author finds the need to explore the reasons for such risks not de-stabilising our economy so far; and the measures that are needed, in future, for insulating the economy from such destabilising effects, to the extent feasible.[NIPFP WP NO 2008 / 53] |
| Keywords: | RBI; Fiscal reforms; economic policy; Fiscal and Monetary Management; Fiscal and Financial Markets; Fiscal and the External Sector |
| Date: | 2009 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ess:wpaper:id:2066&r=cwa |
| By: | Pandey, Manoj K. |
| Abstract: | In this paper, the effect of maternal health on the under-five mortality has been examined. Third wave of micro-level National Family Health Survey 2005-06 data for rural India is used. Using various alternative measures of maternal health, the paper finds strong association between maternal health and child mortality. In particular, the effects of maternal height, weight, presence of any disease and anemia are found significant. Based on our findings, we argue that if the possible generational transfer of poor health from a mother to her child has to avoid, policies aimed at attaining the millennium development goal of reduced child mortality should be directed on improving the health of existing and future mothers. |
| Keywords: | under-five mortality; maternal height; maternal weight; body mass index; anemia |
| JEL: | J13 I12 D6 |
| Date: | 2009–06–25 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:pra:mprapa:15934&r=cwa |
| By: | Pandey, Manoj K. |
| Abstract: | In this paper, the effect of maternal health on the under-five mortality has been examined. Third wave of micro-level National Family Health Survey 2005-06 data for rural India is used. Using various alternative measures of maternal health, the paper finds strong association between maternal health and child mortality. In particular, the effects of maternal height, weight, presence of any disease and anemia are found significant. Based on our findings, we argue that if the possible generational transfer of poor health from a mother to her child has to avoid, policies aimed at attaining the millennium development goal of reduced child mortality should be directed on improving the health of existing and future mothers. |
| Keywords: | under-five mortality; maternal height; maternal weight; body mass index; anemia |
| JEL: | J13 I12 D6 |
| Date: | 2009–06–25 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:pra:mprapa:15927&r=cwa |
| By: | Jayachandran, Seema; Kuziemko, Ilyana |
| Abstract: | Medical research indicates that breastfeeding suppresses post-natal fertility. We model the implications for breastfeeding decisions and test the model's predictions using survey data from India. First, we find that breastfeeding increases with birth order, since mothers near or beyond their desired total fertility are more likely to make use of the contraceptive properties of nursing. Second, given a preference for having sons, mothers with no or few sons want to conceive again and thus limit their breastfeeding. We indeed find that daughters are weaned sooner than sons, and, moreover, for both sons and daughters, having few or no older brothers results in earlier weaning. Third, these gender effects peak as mothers approach their target family size, when their decision about future childbearing (and therefore breastfeeding) is highly marginal and most sensitive to considerations such as ideal sex composition. Because breastfeeding protects against water- and food-borne disease, our model also makes predictions regarding health outcomes. We find that child-mortality patterns mirror those of breastfeeding with respect to gender and its interactions with birth order and ideal family size. Our results suggest that the gender gap in breastfeeding explains 14 percent of excess female child mortality in India, or about 22,000 "missing girls" each year. |
| Keywords: | breastfeeding; child health; child mortality; contraception; fertility; missing women; son preference |
| JEL: | H0 J13 O12 O15 |
| Date: | 2009–06 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:cpr:ceprdp:7321&r=cwa |
| By: | Kumar , Sundaram |
| Abstract: | The purpose of this paper is to investigate the relationship between macroeconomic parameters like Exchange rate and foreign institutional investment with stock returns in India, in particular at National Stock Exchange. I find that both stock returns and exchange rate are integrated of order one. The Engle–Granger Cointegration test is then performed, suggesting that there is not a long-run equilibrium relationship between stock returns and exchange rates at 5% significance level. Moreover, there is no evidence suggesting that there is any causality relationship from the nominal exchange rate to the stock returns. Furthermore, FII data is found to be I(0) i.e. It doesn’t have a unit root at conventional level. It also gives positive unidirectional Granger causality results i.e. stock returns Granger cause FII. No reverse causality is seen even after inserting a structural break in 2003, as some of the researchers suggest. |
| Keywords: | Unit root test; Cointegration; Granger causality; Exchange rate; Stock return; FII |
| JEL: | C0 C52 C22 |
| Date: | 2009–05–01 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:pra:mprapa:15793&r=cwa |
| By: | B L Kumar |
| Abstract: | The introduction of the Target Free Approach (TFA) has been a major policy shift in the health and family welfare programme of India. This study reviewed the process of change in the implementation of new policy and its impact on the quality of health care and reproductive and child health services. In this study both quantitative as well as qualitative data were collected and analysed, which included Focus Group Discussions of users and providers of health and family welfare services. [WP No. 143]. |
| Keywords: | health, family welfare, India, care, reproductive, quantitative, qualitative, data, family welfare, Target free approach, gujarat, policy, fertility, demographers, research methodology |
| Date: | 2009 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ess:wpaper:id:2074&r=cwa |
| By: | John Anugraha |
| Abstract: | Can young people help to increase awareness about climate change and its impacts working through local bodies? A perceptive and informative presentation by the UN-HABITAT Youth Advisory Board Member at the Local Government Climate Leadership Summit held in Copenhagen last week. |
| Keywords: | young people, climate change, government, leadership, population, developing countries, India, carbon emissions |
| Date: | 2009 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ess:wpaper:id:2059&r=cwa |
| By: | Rajesh Shukla |
| Abstract: | Countries world-wide routinely collate statistics on STS performance indicators such as R&D expenditure, science publications, citations and impact, high-tech employment, and penetration of hightech goods. In parallel there have been several, but often isolated, attempts to define complementary ‘public understanding of science (PUS)’ indicators including concepts such as scientific literacy, public sentiment, interest, and attitudes. This has been somewhat successful, but also controversial. Thus, little progress has been achieved to explicitly combine STS performance indicators and PUS indicators in a composite index of ‘science culture’. This exercise draws conceptual and methodological material used in the construction of such a composite index based on a combined data base of EU (32 countries) and India (23 States). On the basis of these 55 ‘state units’ the theoretical basis, feasibility and validity of a globally portable index of science culture is demonstrated. Details of the analytical options considered and decisions made, particularly in regard to integration of two data sets, identifying and defining indicators, constructing composite indices and finally its validation has been discussed. The discussion inevitably involves a degree of EU-India specific analyses, however, the methodological issues and suggested solutions are of broader interest to researchers on the topic in other contexts[NCAER WP NO 100] |
| Keywords: | cultural indicators; science indicators context; SCI Science Culture Index; Subjective science indicators; two-culture model of public understanding of science; Europe and India; Knowledge and attitudes; interest and confidence; Concepts, Methodology and Benchmarking; indicators |
| Date: | 2009 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ess:wpaper:id:2054&r=cwa |
| By: | Ila Patnaik |
| Abstract: | This paper examines how unhedged currency exposure of firms varies with changes in currency exibility. A sequence of four time-periods with alternating high and low currency volatility in India provides a natural experiment in which changes in currency exposure of a panel of firms is measured, and the moral hazard versus incomplete markets hypotheses tested. We find that firms carried higher currency exposure in periods when the currency was less exible. We also find homogeneity of views,where firms set themselves up to benefit from a rupee appreciation, in the later two periods. Our results support the moral hazard hypothesis that low currency exibility encourages firms to hold unhedged exposure in response to implicit government guarantees.[NIPFP WP 2008 - 50] |
| Keywords: | currency regime; currency exposure of firms; moral hazard; one-way bets on exchange rates. |
| Date: | 2009 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ess:wpaper:id:2049&r=cwa |
| By: | Bandyopadhyay,Simanti (National Institute of Public Finance and Policy); Rao, M. Govinda (National Institute of Public Finance and Policy) |
| Abstract: | The paper aims to assess the fiscal health of five urban agglomerations (UAs) in India viz. Delhi, Hyderabad, Kolkata, Chennai, and Pune. Our sample consists of five corporations and sixty three smaller Urban Local Bodies (ULBs) dispersed in thirteen districts of five major states. The main objective of the paper is twofold. First, to review the status of revenue generation and expenditure responsibilities of the constituent ULBs. Second, to assess the magnitudes of their fiscal gaps by estimating the expenditure needs and revenue capacities and give some useful recommendations to reduce these gaps. Data on ULB finances for the financial year 2004-05 collected through surveys are used for the analysis. For estimation of expenditure needs the updated financial norms on the selected services specified by Zakaria Committee are used as benchmarks. For revenue capacity estimations Gross City Products (GCPs) are estimated from non-agricultural components of the District Domestic Products (DDPs). Revenue capacities are estimated by applying a tax-to-GCP ratio, which is higher than that existing in a ULB by a politically feasible margin, on the estimated GCPs. The main findings suggest that excepting five small ULBs in Hyderabad, the others are not in a position to cover their expenditure needs by their present revenue collections. All the UAs have unutilised potentials for revenue generations but with the exception of one UA i.e, Hyderabad, all the others would fail to cover their expenditure needs, even if they realise their revenue potentials. In all the UAs, except Chennai, bigger corporations are more constrained than the smaller ULBs. Besides, concrete evidence in support of the efficiency of parastatal agencies in sharing the burden of responsibilities cannot be established. The paper recommends better utilisation of 'own revenue' handles of the cities, by improved administration of the property taxes, implementation of other taxes, and collection of user charges. The option of state governments to allow the local bodies piggybacking a small proportion on their VAT collections can also be explored. Another way to reduce the fiscal gap would be to earmark a portion of the sales proceeds from land and housing by state governments sold through their development agencies for improvement in the infrastructure of the cities. The paper also recommends that the State Finance Commissions (SFCs) should develop appropriate norms for estimating expenditure needs based on which transfers from the state to local governments can be decided. |
| Keywords: | Expenditure needs ; Revenue capacity ; Fiscal gap |
| JEL: | H72 H73 H76 R51 R58 |
| Date: | 2009–03 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:npf:wpaper:09/58&r=cwa |
| By: | Parthapratim Pal |
| Abstract: | The implementation experience of the Uruguay Round (UR) indicates that the Agreement on Agriculture (AoA) was unable to curb the widespread use of domestic farm subsidies by developed countries.This paper analyses the provisions of Annex A of the July Framework and shows that, by itself, the July Package will not lead to any real decrease in the domestic levels of subsidies in developed countries. This paper points out that there are some waivers built into the Framework, which may allow developed countries to maintain and, in some cases, even to increase domestic farm support and still remain WTO-consistent. However, in most cases, the July Framework only provides broad guidelines and leaves the specific modalities of subsidy reduction to be decided through negotiations. It will be possible for negotiators to plug some of these loopholes if appropriate subsidy reduction formulae are used. This forms the crux of the current phase of negotiations on domestic subsidies. [CENTAD Hong Kong Series- 2] |
| Keywords: | Agricultural Negotiations, July Framework, WTO, India |
| Date: | 2009 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ess:wpaper:id:2076&r=cwa |
| By: | Robert S. Huckman (Harvard Business School, Technology and Operations Management Unit); Bradley R. Staats (Harvard Business School) |
| Abstract: | In settings ranging from product development to service delivery, fluid teams of individuals with different sets of experience are tasked with projects that are critical to their organization's success. Although building teams from individuals with different prior experience is increasingly necessary, prior work examining the relationship between experience and performance fails to find a consistent effect of variation in experience on performance. The problem is that variation in experience improves a team's information processing capacity and knowledge base, but also creates coordination challenges. We hypothesize that team familiarity - team members' prior experience working with one another - is one mechanism that helps teams leverage the potential benefits of variation in team member experience by alleviating coordination problems that such variation may create. We use several years of detailed project- and individual-level data from an Indian software services firm, Wipro Technologies, to examine the effects of team familiarity and variation in experience on multiple measures of performance for software development projects. In most cases, we do not find evidence of a significant main effect for variation in experience on performance. However, when we examine the interaction of team familiarity and variation in experience, we see a complementary effect on measures of delivery performance (i.e., a project being delivered on time and on budget). In team familiarity, our paper identifies one mechanism for capturing the performance benefits of variation in experience and provides insight into how the broader management of experience accumulation affects team performance. |
| Keywords: | Experience, Knowledge, Software, Team Familiarity, Variation |
| Date: | 2009–05 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:hbs:wpaper:09-145&r=cwa |
| By: | Frances Stewart (Queen Elizabeth House, University of Oxford) |
| Abstract: | Both within and across countries, most attention has been devoted to measuring inequality among individuals (and globally countries). Within countries, increasing evidence shows that inequalities among groups (HIs) are important for wellbeing. However, the global component of HIs are generally neglected. The paper argues that HIs at a global level may also be important for world stability and wellbeing, in much the same way HIs are relevant at the national level. With this perspective, the paper reviews Muslim/ non-Muslim HIs within developed and developing countries, and between Muslim and non-Muslim countries, finding that Muslims are systematically disadvantaged across many dimensions. It argues that, despite much heterogeneity among the Muslim population, there is evidence of multiple global connections and of shared perceptions, such that inequalities faced by Muslims in one part of the world may become a source of grievance and potential mobilisation in other parts of the world. Consequently, socio-economic and political inequalities need to be addressed globally, within countries and between them, and politically as well as with respect to socio-economic and cultural status. |
| Keywords: | Horizontal inequality, conflict, grievance, muslims, Islam |
| Date: | 2009 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:mcn:rwpapr:13&r=cwa |