National Institute of Rural Development

About: National Institute of Rural Development is a based out in . It is known for research contribution in the topics: Agriculture & Watershed. The organization has 94 authors who have published 116 publications receiving 542 citations.

Institutional Exclusion and Tribal Interest: Decentralized Government in the Context of Conflicts over Development in India

Abstract: The article investigates whether the political inclusion and representation of Scheduled Tribes through decentralization empower the tribal communities in India to counter the process of exclusion....

Impact of ICT Usage on Productivity of Unorganised Manufacturing Enterprises in India

Abstract: The boom of ICT which started during late 1990s in the USA has now spread to the whole world and is not only altering the way the production process is carried out but also enhanced productivity levels of the enterprises. India’s growth is largely ICT-led growth as witnessed in the case of services sector; however, for the growth of the manufacturing sector, ICT diffusion is required which is in lieu of the fact that at the global level, the manufacturing sector is witnessing an increased share of ICT enabled vis-a-vis core production activities. The large firms have largely succeeded in terms of adoption of ICT infrastructure, but difficulties lie with the small firms which have been comparatively slower in this process over the period of time. In this context, this paper attempts to assess the extent of ICT diffusion across small enterprises and the impact of ICT usage on firm and labour productivity, based on unit-level data from 67th (2010–2011) and 73rd (2015–2016) rounds of NSSO. The findings reveal that ICT usage is not only beneficial for the large firms but also beneficial for the smaller firms alike, which calls for a prompt policy action towards their upgradation in this regard.

A Geospatial Approach for Assessing and Monitoring the Drought Condition in Chittur Taluk, Palakkad District, Kerala

Abstract: Geo informatics played a vital role to assess and monitor the different types of natural hazards either natural or manmade. Temporal satellite data of two years has been systematically used to monitor drought assessment in Chittur taluk, Palakkad district. Rainfall, Soil moisture, increasing temperature and changes in vegetation are the most important parameters effecting drought. Thus, analysis of vegetation fraction and Moisture Stress Index (MSI) are essential in drought estimation using remote sensing. The digital indices using satellite data namely, Normalized Vegetation Index (NDVI), Vegetation Condition Index (VCI), Rainfall records, Moisture Stress Index (MSI) and Yellowness Vegetation Index (YVI) is very essential to assess the drought in Chittur taluk. The present study on “A Geospatial Approach for Assessment and Monitoring the Drought Condition in Chittur Taluk, Palakkad District, Kerala” has been technically estimated on drought condition in the area. In this study, the drought prone areas in the Chittur taluk were identified by using Remote Sensing and GIS technology and drought risk areas were to delineate by integration of satellite images, meteorological Information. Thus, this drought risk mapping can be useful to guide decision making process in drought monitoring and to reduce the risk of drought on any such kind of economic activities. Key Words: Moisture Stress Index (MSI); Normalized Vegetation Index (NDVI); Vegetation Condition Index (VCI); Rainfall records, Yellowness Vegetation Index (YVI); Geospatial Assessment.

Enhancing Shareholder Value Through Efficient Working Capital Management: An Empirical Evidence from India

Abstract: Working capital management is important owing to its effects on the firm's profitability, liquidity and more importantly on its value. In the current study, we investigated the link between efficiency of working capital management and value of the firm in the Indian context during the period 2004 to 2015. We deployed accounting as well as market based metrics to decipher the relationship between firm value and cash conversion cycle. Using panel data regression model, we found that shorter cash conversion cycle leads to higher firm value; further, we observed a non-linear relationship between cash conversion cycle and firm value indicating optimal level of investment in working capital enhances shareholders' value. Majority of the independent variables including control variables in the model are found to be highly significant. Further, our results are robust and are in consonance with the theory and have far reaching implications for the corporate finance managers, prospective investors, lenders, suppliers, government and regulatory authorities.

Good Governance and HRD: Case Studies of User Managed Safe Drinking Water and Health Projects in India:

Abstract: The paper underscores the criticality of 'Good Governance for Human Resource Development (HRD)', even while delineating the key aspects of people centred and people-managed decentralised safe drinking water and sanitation (DWS) projects in Indiaa major investment in Macro-HRD interventions. Capacity building of the poor (rural) communities for enhanced absorption of development goods, services and competencies is viewed as a necessary condition. It highlights the results of three selfreliance oriented Public-Private and Civil Society partnership-based DWS projects, which hold promise for 'community managed good governance-based microsystems at the grassroots level in India'. Partnership initiatives like Bone Char-based Community and Domestic Defluoridation Systems in Nalgonda, AP; Integrated Rural Water Supply and Environmental Sanitation Project of Mysore, Kamataka; and Bal Panchayat Programme of the Institute of Health Management, Pachod, Aurangabad, Maharashtra, are shown as replicable examples and sustainable projects of solid community action in partnership with the local (Panchayat) government institutions and NGOs. The paper concludes that 'putting the instruments of change into the hands of the development consumers' is the most effective and proactive strategy of user-managed and empowerment-oriented sustainable development. The lessons learnt are outlined, and the distance to travel towards the goal of 'improved overall quality of life of (rural) people' is emphasised.