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.

Climate change and India's energy policy options

Abstract: This paper presents an analysis of CO 2 emissions in the Indian economy and examines the implications of alternative policies to reduce them. This analysis goes beyond the conventional approaches of looking at energy supply structure and end-uses of energy. Instead, it examines flows of energy in the economy of India through a 60-sector input-output mode). The authors show that direct emissions of CO 2 are highest in the electricity sector followed by iron and steel, road and air transport, and coal tar. If a similar analysis by final demand is carried out, incorporating both direct and indirect emissions, the highest emitting sector is construction, followed by food crops, road and air transport, and so on. This indicates that, in addition to energy efficiency, improving construction efficency could also lead to CO 2 savings (by using less energy-intensive materials or by making optimal use of them). It is also shown, by generating alternative energy policy scenarios, that if India saves energy from coal rather than from imported oil to reduce CO 2 emissions, then savings foregone are more than Rs 5634 million for only 10% of energy saving. Sectoral priorities also change. To save coal, the power sector, iron and steel, coal tar, etc will require attention. To save oil, transport, refinery and fertilizers will require attention. Similar arguments are made for substitution of coal by oil and gas. Additional costs of Rs 10 billion would be incurred for 10% substitution of coal by oil and gas as compared to the current policy of substituting oil and gas with coal. This article offers another Interpretation of the notion of ‘incremental costs’ though comparison of two alternative development strategies.

Energy in the Development Strategy of Indian Households—The Missing Half

Abstract: There is a growing consensus that universalization of modern energy services is central to reducing major elements of poverty and hunger, to increase literacy and education, and to improve health care, employment opportunities, and lives of women and children. In India, as per 2011 census, over 700 million people lack access to modern energy services for lighting, cooking, water pumping and other productive purposes. Devoid of these services people, mostly women, are forced to spend significant amounts of their time and effort on subsistence activities like firewood collection, carrying these head load for miles, and then burning these hard earned fuels inefficiently in traditional chullas. These adversely affect the health and standard of living for women and act as a barrier to gender development (here ‘gender’ means women unless otherwise specified). Although the links between gender inequity, poverty, and energy deprivation have been studied by many, not many practical solutions to the above problems have emerged. The present paper explores the nexus among gender–energy–poverty, highlights areas of gender concern, and suggests actions. We analyze how women from rural areas and low income households are at the receiving ends of energy poverty. We then analyze the roles women as an important stakeholders in universalizing modern energy services. We show how women self-help groups can be a vital link in large-scale diffusion of energy-efficient and renewable technologies. The paper concludes with policy pointers for sustainable development and gender empowerment through energy solutions.

Urban Food Markets and the Lockdown in India

Abstract: On March 24, 2020, the Government of India announced a 21-day national lockdown that has since been extended to May 3, 2020. The lockdown has left urban food markets in disarray with severe supply bottlenecks and restrictions on doing business. At a time when food prices in India were declining consistently, supply disruptions consequent to the lockdown have reversed the trend. Based on an analysis of publicly available data on wholesale and retail prices for 22 commodities from 114 Centres, we find that prices have increased since the lockdown and show no signs of reverting to the pre-lockdown levels as of April 21, 2020. Average price increases are to the tune of over 6% for several pulses, over 3.5% for most edible oils, 15% for potato 28% for tomato in the 28 days post-lockdown compared to prices during the month preceding the lockdown. We also find that smaller cities have seen a much higher increase in prices with at least a few cities seeing a rise in retail food prices by as much as 20%. A survey of 50 food retailers in 14 cities reveal serious operational challenges associated with sourcing supplies, transportation and police harassment. At the same time, several innovative arrangements have evolved as well. The paper reviews these briefly and outlines some policy concerns.