Indira Gandhi Institute of Development Research

About: Indira Gandhi Institute of Development Research is a facility organization based out in Mumbai, Maharashtra, India. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Monetary policy & Inflation. The organization has 307 authors who have published 1021 publications receiving 18848 citations.

Applications of high-temperature superconductors to the power sector in developing countries

Abstract: Developing countries imported power equipment worth US$25 billion in 1986, and their power requirements are expected to rise well into the 21st century. Therefore, a global view needs to be taken while according priorities for superconductivity research to the power sector. The scale of the power applications, feasibility of which is earlier established for low temperature superconductors, may have to be reduced if they have to be relevant for the developing countries (e.g., superconducting power generators of 100–500 MW, storage of 500–2000 MWh, and transmission lines of about 100–400 KVA). Fortunately, due to the easier availability of coolant (LN) and ceramics, there could be greater efforts in R & D and, therefore, faster progress.

Prioritization of strategies to overcome barriers for cleaner and energy efficient alternatives in urban transportation : Multi-criteria approach

Abstract: Adoption of cleaner and energy efficient technologies (CEETs) in urban transport experiences certain barriers and deriving a set of policies to remove/reduce barrier in the case of Delhi and Mumbai transport systems was attempted in this study. A set of policy alternatives and measures (PAMs) were identified for each barrier and a pool of barriers PAMs for all barriers were identified which were finally analysed for their potential based on 4 important criteria namely administrative costs, financial burden, human resource benefits, administrative backup and political acceptability. Based on aggregated multi-criteria assessment, the policy of distinct colouring scheme for alternate fuel vehicles (AFVs) stood first followed by awareness campaigns to the drivers, training programs to the workers, single window/priority check points, financial incentives and task force to carry out check. To realize the completeness, potential of PAMs in handling barriers was analysed considering not only a set of criteria but also their potential in handling more than one barrier. In overall ranking, policy to develop partnerships among major stakeholders and awareness campaigns to the drivers showed highest potential in removing barriers for the adoption of CEETs. Based on the ranking under both approaches a set of seven policy measures and alternatives were selected to remove barriers to CEETS and they are partnership between the Government, public sector undertakings and private actors in proving better infrastructure; Financial incentives like free or priority parking, separate lanes for alternative fuel vehicles and free inspection and maintenance; Task force to carry our checks; Heavy fines on defaulters; Distinct colour coding for AFVs; Demonstration of AFVs and their advantages; and Awareness campaigns to drivers. This set of PAMs would be able to control all seven pre-identified barriers to the adoption of CEETs in Delhi and Mumbai urban transportation systems.

E-Information Literacy Index of University Teachers of Maharashtra, India: A Case Study

Abstract: The purpose of this paper is to propose an e-information literacy index that provides realistic values to distinguish whether university teachers are literate in regard to awareness and use of e-information resources by explaining the characteristics of e-information literate teacher. The present survey attempts to formulate e-information literacy index of university teachers by taking into consideration three components viz. awareness of e-resources, availability of ICT facilities and use of internet services and search techniques to retrieve e-information. The findings shows that 60.52 per cent teachers are e-information literate. Amongst the teachers, the index for Assistant Professors is highest followed by Professors and Associate Professors. It indicates that Assistant Professors are more e-information literate than their superiors. Amongst the universities, the index of Shivaji University, Kolhapur is highest. As far as author’s consciousness, there are several indices meant for different purposes but in the higher education sector to define the characteristics of e-information literate university teacher in terms of an index is unique and special.

The Real Cost of Credit Constraints: Evidence from Micro-Finance

Abstract: In October 2010, the Indian state of Andhra Pradesh passed a law that severely restricted the operations of micro-finance institutions and abruptly brought the micro- finance industry to a halt. We measure the impact of the withdrawal of credit in this unique natural experiment. Average household expenditure in the state dropped by 19 percent when compared with controls over four quarters after the ban. The largest decrease was observed in expenditure on food, while expenditure on education saw increased volatility. The average consumption of all households were affected and not just the lower income households, which may suggest general equilibrium effects.

Towards a New Synthesis: New Consensus Macroeconomics

Abstract: By the beginning of the 1980s, the triumph of the new classical and real business cycle schools was more or less complete. However led by a group of prominent economists (Akerlof, Blanchard, Stiglitz, Greenwald, Romer, Yellen, etc.) in the mid-1980s, Keynesianism made a strong revival under the new banner of neo- (or new)-Keynesianism. The neo-Keynesians tried to resurrect Keynesianism by placing it on sound micro-foundations. However, the movement seemed to lack a unifying monolithic structure. The task of integrating these different dimensions into a coherent whole was left to be accomplished by the so-called New Consensus Macroeconomics (NCM) that emerged a few years later. This chapter analyses the various aspects of neo-Keynesianism and the NCM in some detail.