|
on Central and Western Asia |
| By: | Raghav Gaiha; Raghbendra Jha; Vani S. Kulkarni |
| Abstract: | Recent high rates of economic growth in India have been accompanied by major dietary transitions. Using a nationwide household survey, India Human Development Survey 2005, this paper estimates the impact of such transitions on the incidence of non communicable diseases (NCDs) such as diabetes, coronary heart disease and cancer in India. The estimated deaths from NCDs are projected to rise from 3.78 million in 1990 (40.46 per cent of all deaths) to 7.63 million deaths in 2020 (66.70 per cent of all deaths). The paper also investigates relationships between NCDs and key demographic variables, level of affluence, caste affiliation and geographical concentration of the sample. The paper also models the determinants of these NCDs. The paper concludes with broad policy prescriptions. |
| Keywords: | Obesity, affluence, non-communicable diseases, India |
| JEL: | I12 I19 I32 O15 |
| Date: | 2010 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:pas:asarcc:2010-08&r=cwa |
| By: | Unmesh Patnaik; Narayanan K |
| Abstract: | This paper attempts to understand the various risks faced by households living in disaster prone regions of rural India and specifically examine the effectiveness of coping mechanisms adopted by households living in these areas to hedge against the risks. The study area (districts of eastern Uttar Pradesh, India) is highly susceptible to floods with a major flood occurring every ten years and smaller ones happening every one-two years. The data is drawn from primary household surveys undertaken in the study area for flood affected households. The analysis is carried out using a risk sharing and self insurance framework and econometric modeling is carried out using binary outcomes and multivariate probit estimation through GHK (Geweke- Hajivassiliou- Keane) estimator. |
| Keywords: | multivariate probit estimation, consumption, risk, Vulnerability, livelihoods, developing countries, climate, disasters, rural, Uttar Pradesh, India, floods, households, insurance, econometric modelling, |
| Date: | 2010 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ess:wpaper:id:2470&r=cwa |
| By: | David Atkin (Economic Growth Center, Yale University) |
| Abstract: | This paper introduces habit formation into an otherwise standard model of international trade. Household tastes evolve over time to favor foods consumed as a child. The opening of trade causes preferred goods to rise in price, as these were relatively inexpensive in autarky. Neglecting the correlation between tastes and agro-climatic endowments overstates the short-run nutritional gains from agricultural trade liberalization and masks potential caloric losses for laborers. I examine the predictions of this model of trade with habit formation using household survey data from India, both by looking across Indian regions and by examining the consumption patterns of inter-state migrants. |
| Keywords: | international trade, habit formation, India, Tastes, nutrition |
| JEL: | O10 O12 Q17 F10 |
| Date: | 2010–04 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:egc:wpaper:986&r=cwa |
| By: | Bhattacharya, Soma; Cropper, Maureen L. (Resources for the Future) |
| Abstract: | We review the economics literature on energy efficiency in India, as a guide for further research in the area. The empirical literature has focused on four questions: How does energy efficiency in India compare with energy efficiency in other countries? What would be the energy savings (and cost savings) from adopting certain energy-efficient technologies? Why are these technologies being -- or not being -- adopted? What policies should be implemented to encourage their adoption? Most of the literature focuses on answers to the first two questions. Studies are needed that quantify factors affecting the rate of diffusion of energy-efficient technologies and rigorously evaluate reforms implemented by the Government of India, beginning in the 1990s, that could affect energy efficiency. |
| Keywords: | energy efficiency, energy use, India |
| JEL: | O33 Q4 |
| Date: | 2010–04–15 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:rff:dpaper:dp-10-20&r=cwa |
| By: | Chandan, Sharma; Bhanumurthy, N R |
| Abstract: | This paper attempts to systemically project the demand and fund requirements of the Indian infrastructure sector up to 2013. In the infrastructure sector transportation (rail, port, air and road), electricity and telecommunication sectors are covered in this study. Our analysis is performed in three stages. In the first stage, long run linkage between infrastructure variables and income are established by applying cointegration method. Subsequently, infrastructure demand functions are estimated by using Dynamic OLS (DOLS) technique. In the second stage, by using the estimated infrastructure elasticity to income of variables and IMF’s projected income data, we project the sector-wise demand and funding requirement. In the final stage, we put forward some suggestions for reforms in infrastructure financing, so the projected demand in the country would be achieved. The results of the analysis indicates that in important sectors like electricity and port, the government(the Planning Commission) has seriously underestimated the future demand, while in air transport sector, the demand seems to be overestimated. Only in telecommunication sector, the projections of this study are at par with their projections. Overall, we find that the government has at least 7% underestimated the infrastructure needs. Based on these results, we propose for initiation of a set of reforms in existing financing pattern of infrastructure in the country |
| Keywords: | Infrastructure projection; DOLS; India |
| JEL: | H54 C53 |
| Date: | 2010–03 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:pra:mprapa:22188&r=cwa |
| By: | Sib Ranjan, Misra; Jaydev, Misra |
| Abstract: | Japan has to restructure its social security systems fromtime to time for different reasons like a far more rapid aging of population , the slow down of long term economic growth and deteriorating equity in the inter-generational transfer of welfare .But even then, the basic elements remain the same .It si pertinent to see how and to whar extent japan’s social security systems could be translated in the case of India. As apreliminary analysis ,in section One, attempt has been made to summarize the distinctive features of social security systems in Japan.Section Two dwells upon the nature and problems of the social security systems in India. An endeavour has been made in Section three to articulate on the lessons for India. Final Section Four concludes and summarizes the main findings.It has ben observed that there are certain experiences that India can learn ,amongothers, the careful application of universal social security systems, the role of insurance policies,private-public synergies ,the role of the government and governance, the importance attached to social capital. |
| Keywords: | Universal social security system; private–public partnership; Inter-generational Equity governance; social capital |
| JEL: | H55 H41 E65 |
| Date: | 2009–07–07 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:pra:mprapa:22076&r=cwa |
| By: | Shoba Arun; Samuel Annim; Thankom Arun |
| Abstract: | This paper is motivated by the observation that type and combination of assets play a significant role in reducing incidences of shocks by asset-poor households. Asset-based strategies treat assets not just as resources, but also as an agency to transform such resources to improve livelihood choices and tackle risks and shocks. Focusing on the case of adivasi households in the South Indian state of Kerala, we find that the type, number and combinations of specific assets (primarily social and physical capital) yield varied magnitudes of household resilience to both idiosyncratic and covariate shocks. Thus, social policies for specific social groups need to focus on the nature of asset and their combination, rather than welfare-based considerations. |
| Date: | 2010 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:bwp:bwppap:11210&r=cwa |
| By: | Rohan Dominic Mathews |
| Abstract: | This paper aims at touching on the main divisions of fisheries management, with an insight into the state mechanism and the extra legal systems in place. The principal focus is the history of Indian marine management systems and the need for a new sustainable model. [Intern WP]. |
| Keywords: | history, Indian, fisheries, management, marine, legal systems, management, historical, |
| Date: | 2010 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ess:wpaper:id:2474&r=cwa |
| By: | Gilbert, John (Asian Development Bank Institute); Banik, Nilanjan (Asian Development Bank Institute) |
| Abstract: | Although the overall economic performance of economies in South Asia in recent years has been impressive, there is concern that an aging and increasingly inadequate infrastructure may limit the potential for further growth and economic development. A critical infrastructure component is the transportation network, and there are currently several transportation infrastructure projects in the South Asia Subregional Economic Cooperation (SASEC) region, connecting Nepal, eastern India, Bangladesh, and Bhutan. This paper uses computable general equilibrium (CGE) methods to address how these infrastructure developments might affect the broader economy in SASEC, and in particular impact on income distribution and poverty. The paper describes a new CGE model for South Asia, covering India, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Nepal, and Pakistan, which incorporates modifications to household structure in order to capture the implications of reform for changes in intra-household income. The scenarios that are considered reflect proposed investments in land transport infrastructure in the SASEC region. These should result in reductions in the land transport component of international transport margins, which vary bilaterally by commodity. We found that all SASEC economies would benefit from the reductions in terms of aggregate welfare, with the largest gains accruing to India in absolute terms, but the largest relative gains to Nepal, followed by Bangladesh and Sri Lanka when the margin reduction is prorated to intra-South Asian trade rather than just SASEC. In terms of household level distribution, the picture was mixed, with clearly pro-poor outcomes in some countries, such as Nepal, but more ambiguous impacts in others. In terms of potential adjustment costs, examination of the extent of predicted structural changes suggests that these would be minor, although somewhat more significant for the smaller economies in the region. |
| Keywords: | cge method; infrastructure development; sasec; income distribution poverty reduction |
| JEL: | D58 F14 F17 O53 |
| Date: | 2010–04–14 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ris:adbiwp:0211&r=cwa |
| By: | Sathiabama K |
| Abstract: | Empowerment of women has emerged as an important issue in recent times. The economic empowerment of women is being regarded these days as a Sine-quo-non of progress for a country; hence, the issue of economic empowerment of women is of paramount importance to political thinkers, social scientists and reformers. The Self Help Groups (SHGs) have paved the way for economic independence of rural women. The members of SHGs are involved in Micro – Entrepreneurships. Through that, they are becoming economically independent and providing employment opportunities to others. This article deals with empowerment of rural women through entrepreneurship and the advantages entrepreneurship among the rural women. “Economic empowerment of women led to development of family and communityâ€. This statement is proved by a collective Micro Entrepreneurship in Tamilnadu. |
| Keywords: | SHGs, self help groups, empowerment, women, micro, Tamilnadu, employment, rural women, India, political thinkers, economically, economic, |
| Date: | 2010 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ess:wpaper:id:2475&r=cwa |
| By: | Raghbendra Jha; Raghav Gaiha; Manoj K. Pandey |
| Abstract: | The present paper uses primary household level data collected in 2007-08 for the rural sector of three Indian states, Andhra Pradesh (AP), Maharashtra and Rajasthan, to evaluate the impact of the Targeted Public Distribution System (TPDS) in these three states. The paper presents a basic profile of the TPDS in these states and then goes on to assess the difference between subsidized TPDS price and market price for rice, wheat sugar and kerosene at the village level by per capita expenditure class and then conducts stochastic dominance comparisons across non-participants and participants in the three states. It examines various other characteristics of the experience with TPDS in these states including waiting times for different types of card holders, the distribution of the shares of expenditure on food items brought from TPDS among TPDS households and the distribution of the real income transferred through TPDS. The paper finally reports on a Tobit analysis of the quantity of food items such as wheat, rice and sugar demanded by households through the TPDS. |
| Keywords: | Targeted Public Distribution System, Food subsidy, Targeting Errors |
| JEL: | D12 D63 H24 H42 |
| Date: | 2010 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:pas:asarcc:2010-07&r=cwa |
| By: | Khan, Zahid; Asghar, Zahid |
| Abstract: | Many economic and financial time series show evidence of trending behavior or non stationarity in the mean. An important econometric goal is determining the most proper form of the trend in the data. The transformations of series depend on whether the series is trend stationary or difference stationary. In this paper, study is conducted to declare the nature of trend component in quarterly GDP of Pakistan whether it is trend stationary or difference stationary. It is necessary to know, because trend stationary and difference stationary models imply very different short run and long run dynamics. We have explored the type of trend in GDP series by ADF unit root test and also support our arguments by empirical distribution instead of asymptotical ones i.e., bootstrapping test. The purpose of the paper is not only to investigate the type of trend in the series by conventional methods but also to motivate small distribution theory like bootstrapping techniques that can helps ones in selection of advocate model for observed series. |
| Keywords: | Bootstrapping; Stationarity; Pivotal statistic; Unit root |
| JEL: | C12 C15 C01 |
| Date: | 2009–12–22 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:pra:mprapa:22091&r=cwa |
| By: | Eshaan Puri; Tripti Bhatia |
| Abstract: | This research paper analyses Government policy with regard to Jhuggi-Jhopri clusters- a particular type of housing present in Delhi. These colonies are perceived to be illegal by the Government. With living conditions akin to slums, the inhabitants of such clusters are part of the economically backward sections of society, often looked over and ignored by the Government. [Intern WP 213]. |
| Keywords: | Dwellers, urban criminals, Commonwealth Games, government, jhuggi, jhopri, clusters, housing, Delhi, slums, econmically backward sections, society, illegal, healthcare, education, planning, |
| Date: | 2010 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ess:wpaper:id:2472&r=cwa |
| By: | Aamer S. Abu-Qarn (Economics Department,Ben-Gurion University, Israel); J Paul Dunne (Department of Economics, University of the West of England); Yasmine M. Abdelfattah (Department of Economics, British University in Egypt); Shadwa Zaher (Department of Economics, British University in Egypt) |
| Abstract: | Egypt plays a pivotal role in the security of the Middle East as the doorway to Europe and its military expenditure reflects its involvement in the machinations of such an unstable region, showing considerable variation over the last forty years. These characteristics make it a particularly interesting case study of the determinants of military spending. This paper presents such a study, estimating an econometric model of the Egyptian demand for military spending, taking into account important strategic and political factors. Both economic and strategic factors are found to play a role in determining military burden, with clear positive effects of lagged military burden, suggesting some sort of institutional inertia, plus negative output and net imports effects. The main strategic effect is the impact of Israel’s military burden, with no effect for that of the Jordanian and Syrian allies, but the results also suggest that simple arms race relationships are not an adequate representation of the relevant strategic factors. |
| Keywords: | Egypt, demand for military expenditure, political determinants, strategic determinants |
| JEL: | H56 O53 |
| Date: | 2010–01 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:uwe:wpaper:1001&r=cwa |
| By: | Paul Alagidede (Department of Economics, University of Stirling, UK); Theodore Panagiotidis (Department of Economics, University of Macedonia, Greece) |
| Abstract: | The extent to which the stock market provides a hedge to investors against inflation is examined for African stock markets. By employing parametric and nonparametric cointegration procedures, we show that the point estimates of the elasticities of stock prices with respect to consumer prices range from 0.015 for Tunisia to 2.264 for South Africa, evidence of a positive long-run relationship. Further, the time path of the response of stock prices to innovations in consumer prices exhibits a transitory negative response for Egypt and South Africa, which becomes positive over longer horizons: important indication that the stock market tends to provide a hedge against rising consumer prices in African markets. |
| Keywords: | Stock Prices, Inflation, Fisher Effect, African Stock Markets, Cointegration |
| JEL: | G10 G15 C32 |
| Date: | 2010–01 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:rim:rimwps:06_10&r=cwa |
| By: | Mohd, Irfan |
| Abstract: | This paper proposes a two-stage game theoretic model in which the discretionary power of executives acts as an implicit defense against hostile takeovers. Following managerial enterprise models, this paper analyzes the effects of target’s executives’ discretionary power over R&D and advertising in defeating hostile takeover attempts. It is shown that in vertically differentiated industries, in equilibrium, target’s executive keep low level of R&D and advertising to make their firm an unattractive target for hostile takeovers. The model reveals that the executives are influenced by their self-interest of monetary and non-monetary benefits and this self-interest behavior makes the industry less differentiated. Additionally, the firm’s takeover (hostile or friendly) is endogenously determined by the executives. |
| Keywords: | Executives Discretion; Hostile Takeovers; Vertical Differentiation; R&D; Advertising |
| JEL: | G34 L15 |
| Date: | 2010–01–20 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:pra:mprapa:22123&r=cwa |
| By: | Drine, Imed; Bou Abid , Anis |
| Abstract: | The purpose of this paper is to study the determinants of the inefficient functioning of the Tunisian labour market. The study takes advantage of the recent development in the stochastic frontier techniques and estimates, the matching function for Tunisia using disaggregated data. We include control variables as determinants of matching efficiency and regional disparities. We confirm that the persistently high rate of unemployment is the result of not only excess labour supply but is also related to a shortfall between supply and demand (sector, location, qualification). |
| Keywords: | labour market; structural unemployment; technical efficiency; matching across regions; developing country. |
| JEL: | C23 J64 |
| Date: | 2010–01 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:pra:mprapa:21994&r=cwa |