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.

Delegation and Emission Tax in a Differentiated Oligopoly

Abstract: How product differentiation as well as strategic managerial delegation affects optimal emission tax rate, environmental damage and social welfare, under alternative modes of product market competition is examined. It shows that, under pure profit maximization, the (positive) optimal emission tax rate is not necessarily decreasing in degree of product differentiation, irrespective of the mode of competition.

Book Review: Daron Acemoglu and James A. Robinson, Why Nations Fail: The Origins of Power, Prosperity, and Poverty

Abstract: Daron Acemoglu and James A. Robinson, Why Nations Fail: The Origins of Power, Prosperity, and Poverty. Random House, New York

Choosing between global and local emission control strategies in urban transport sector, which way to go?

Abstract: Cities are engrossed with response strategies for the control of local pollution from transport sector. However, as the transport sector has been growing as major GHG contributor, and there is an increasing scope for investment and support from the international financial institutions, cities often get into confusion on whether to go by local emission control strategies (LEMS) or adopt GHG mitigation strategies (GEMS). This paper presents a comparison between GHG mitigation strategies and local emission control strategies and their potential in controlling non-target pollutant emissions in concurrence with their economic performance. Comparative analysis based on multiple constraint optimization model for Mumbai transport system planning for the next 20 years and incremental cost analysis had revealed that strategies targeting the mitigation of total suspended particulate matter (TSP) could also reduce carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions (as non-target emission) and vice-versa. Co-benefits of emission reduction from local emission control strategies are higher compared to that of GHG mitigation strategies. In the incremental cost analysis, both GHG mitigation strategies and local emission control strategies were found performing comparably. Thus, local emission control strategies with better emission reduction potential and also better local acceptance are more favourable than GHG mitigation strategies in long term transportation planning. Therefore, it is recommended that the development projects in urban transportation planning and management may consider local emission control strategies rather than GHG mitigation strategies. The co-benefits (CO2 reduction) of local emission control strategies would still play the attraction for international funding agencies to invest in transport sector and also for CDM opportunities.

Genetically Modified Crops in India - Role of Asymmetric Information

Abstract: Today the debate about the Genetically Modified Crops is very active and highly inflammable due to its inherent political nature. Any policy, which neglects political factors by giving only weight to scientific factors, will end up in market failure for these products. The intense debate about this food is mainly due to its lack of proper information. Though asymmetric information is playing a vital role in penetration of these crops, very few studies have gone into studying this aspect. It seems that India's policies towards GM crops are at crossroads and they are not able to view this problem in a particular way. They are not able to understand the crux of the whole problem. They are simply saying whatever is good for the US is good for India. This lack of visionary towards these crops are plunging the country into not to take any decision of their own. For Biotech companies success in the world's largest democracy will be seen as public acceptance and increases MNC credibility. If we analyze the problem prevailing in India we can see that it is more of asymmetrical information rather than any other problem. This asymmetry is prevailing as there is many actors are involved on these issues and they pass on asymmetric information to the beneficiaries (farmers/consumers). The whole issue related to these crops is fully asymmetrical through out the supply chain. So in this article talk of asymmetric information problem and we see how it is affecting outcomes. If the asymmetric information as talked by classical Akerlof model is existent then the problem will be persistent. The silence to the most of the genuine questions posed by these GM Foods would postpone a sustainable development and the judicious application of the biotechnology.