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Showing papers in "Economic and Political Weekly in 2002"


Journal Article
TL;DR: Dam oustees in Satara district of Maharashtra recently scored a signal victory, when their'sit-in struggle' resulted in the acceptance of their demands by the state government, including those on water allowance and equitable distribution of water as discussed by the authors.
Abstract: Dam oustees in Satara district of Maharashtra recently scored a signal victory, when their 'sit-in struggle' resulted in the acceptance of their demands by the state government, including those on water allowance and equitable distribution of water. The agitators in Satara have thus managed to continue their tradition of struggle in the quest for development.

288 citations


Journal Article
TL;DR: In this article, a century-long trend of falling proportion of females in the Indian population is explained by identifying the age groups, regions and social groups of the estimated 21 million females who went missing between 1901 and 1991.
Abstract: This paper seeks to explain the century-long trend of falling proportion of females in the Indian population. In the first part, some clues to the puzzle are unearthed by identifying the age groups, regions and social groups of the estimated 21 million females gone 'missing' between 1901 and 1991. In particular, it is shown that overtime there has been a convergence of the sex ratios of adults and children, and female-male ratios declined in regions and social groups where the adult sex ratios were substantially higher than the child sex ratios. In the first half of the last century, the overall sex ratio declined because of the decline at adult ages, especially at age 40 and over. After independence, the decline has been more concentrated at ages under 15. However, census data should be interpreted with caution because improving quality of age data on children can produce a spurious trend of falling sex ratios at certain childhood ages. In the light of these disclosures, the second part of the paper reviews the plausible explanations for the long-term trend of falling female-male ratio in India.

77 citations



Journal Article
TL;DR: In the last few decades both fertility and mortality rates have been falling but the decline of mortality was strong enough to offset the fall in fertility rates as mentioned in this paper, and the 2001 Census however gives a clear indication that India is passing through the last phase of fertility transition moving towards moderate to low fertility.
Abstract: Over the last few decades both fertility and mortality rates have been falling but the decline of mortality was strong enough to offset the fall in fertility rates. The 2001 Census however gives a clear indication that India is passing through the last phase of fertility transition moving towards moderate to low fertility. Fertility declines have not however been uniform across the country and the differential rates are mainly responsible for the differentials in population growth rates across states and union territories. (authors)

54 citations


Journal Article
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors discuss some of the major issues surrounding the process of urbanisation in developing countries and discuss the emergence and growth of very large cities and then focus on urban primacy.
Abstract: This article discusses some of the major issues surrounding the process of urbanisation in developing countries. It reviews the broad trends in urbanisation, discusses the emergence and growth of very large cities and then focuses on urban primacy. This is followed by a discussion of the contribution of rural--to-urban migration to urban growth and an analysis of the role of a free entry urban traditional or informal sector both in migration process and in contributing to national output.

46 citations



Journal Article
TL;DR: In the drive for universal education all children not in school have been subsumed as working children as mentioned in this paper, a development that is ill-advised and only aggravates the problem.
Abstract: In the drive for universal education all children not in school have been subsumed as working children. Such a development is ill-advised. This article analyses this changing definition in the context of the Labour Commission Report 2001. With a redefinition of child labour, the number of working children is set at more than, 10 times the official figures available from Census and NSS reports. Such a development only aggravates the problem.

33 citations



Journal Article
TL;DR: The authors in this paper reviewed the performance of different sectors of the West Bengal economy over the past two decades, and distill from that some lessons for future policy priorities, and argued that there is a need for a fresh policy approach in these sectors as well.
Abstract: During the last two decades West Bengal has led the rest of the country with regard to agricultural performance and implementation of panchayat institutions. But these developments have begun to level out. At the same time the state has fallen behind in other sectors – industry, higher education and state of public finances, particularly – to an extent that is seriously worrying. This paper reviews performance of these different sectors, discusses possible explanatory factors, and makes a number of suggestions for policy reforms. With regard to industrial revival, it stresses public investment in transport and communication, measures to improve higher education, foster industry-university collaborations, and help small-scale industries overcome specific market imperfections (access to credit, technology and distribution channels). In public finance, emphasis is placed on raising tax revenues (especially with regard to the service sector), limiting losses of public sector undertakings, and widening the scope of land taxes and user fees. In the agricultural sector, the need for a greater role of the government with regard to biotechnology, extension services, irrigation and flood control is emphasised, along with suggestions for encouraging and regulating contract farming with MNCs. Finally the article urges greater empowerment of panchayats with regard to social service delivery and agro-business development, and administrative reforms to enhance accountability of state government employees. This year marks the 25th anniversary of the advent of the Left Front government in West Bengal, whose continued electoral success over such a long period is undoubtedly a unique achievement. During this time the nature of the West Bengal economy has changed much, in ways that reflect the principal policy priorities of the Left Front. In the rural sector the state has led much of the rest of the country, with significant acceleration in the implementation of land reforms, and institution of panchayati raj well in advance of the 73rd and 74th constitutional amendments. With respect to comparisons of growth rates in foodgrains production and farm productivity across the rest of India, the state transformed its status from laggard in the 1970s to star performer in the 1980s. The benefits of thi s have been relatively evenly shared: the rate of decline of rural poverty since the late 1970s has also been one of the fastest. Contrasted to these impressive achievements in the countryside, the story is entirely different elsewhere – in industry, higher education, or fiscal discipline its performance relative to other Indian states has progressively deteriorated. Fortunately there appear to be some recent winds of change in policy direction of the Left Front, following a recent change in political leadership, and the message conveyed by voters in the 2001 state assembly elections. It is an appropriate time, therefore, to review the performance of different sectors of the West Bengal economy over the past two decades, and distill from that some lessons for future policy priorities. We start with the problem sectors first, where the need for new policy initiatives is greatest – industry, higher education and public finance. We move thereafter to discuss rural development and governance (including decentralisation, social services, and public administration), and argue there is a need for a fresh policy approach in these sectors as well.

28 citations


Journal Article
TL;DR: In this paper, a south Indian village across two dimensions is explored, where changes in local economy have seen challenges posed to the long dominant position of the upper caste mudaliars based on their control on land, over the dalits.
Abstract: Notions and practices of masculinity are often reconfigured in the wake of rapid economic and socio-political transformation. This paper explores this aspect in a south Indian village across two dimensions. Changes in local economy have seen challenges posed to the long dominant position of the upper caste mudaliars based on their control on land, over the dalits. On the other hand, the entry of large numbers of women into the industrial work-force has played its part in modifying the relationship between caste, class and gender.

24 citations



Journal Article
TL;DR: The impact of job migration on households across Kerala has its impact on a greater flow of remittances from abroad, which in turn leads to improved living standards and increased consumption levels, and more long-term changes related to education.
Abstract: The impact of job migration on households across Kerala has its impact on a greater flow of remittances from abroad, which in turn leads to improved living standards and increased consumption levels More long-term changes, as this paper emphasises, are related to education Higher educated workers spend more time abroad, while for the women, an increased access to education also leads to improved health indicators - a decline in the overall birth rate and a lowering of infant mortality rates

Journal Article
TL;DR: The value of scientific research can, in many circumstances, be enhanced if it is combined with real-world involvement and action This approach should be seen as an essential complement of, not a substitute for, research of a more 'detached' kind as discussed by the authors.
Abstract: The value of scientific research can, in many circumstances, be enhanced if it is combined with real-world involvement and action This approach should be seen as an essential complement of, not a substitute for, research of a more 'detached' kind

Journal Article
J. Huang, R. Hu, Q. Wang, J. Keeley, J. Falck-Zepeda 
TL;DR: The impact of the global biotechnology debate on China's agricultural trade is discussed in this paper, where the authors address serious questions on the future of biotechnology in the country and propose a solution to address them.
Abstract: China is developing the largest plant biotechnology capacity outside North America and an impressive list of genetically modified (GM) crops under trial However, underlying these achievements is a growing concern among policy-makers about the impact of the global biotechnology debate on China's agricultural trade Like many other developing countries, it has now to address serious questions on the future of biotechnology in the country

Journal Article
TL;DR: In this article, the authors present broad descriptive features of the phenomenon of child labour in Tamil Nadu and its distribution across well-defined socio-economic groups classified by gender, sector-of-origin and caste, and its dispersal across space.
Abstract: This paper sifts certain important sources of secondary data, in its efforts to present certain broad descriptive features of the phenomenon of child labour in Tamil Nadu and its distribution across well-defined socio-economic groups classified by gender, sector-of-origin and caste, and its dispersal across space. As NSS data for 1987-88 suggest, the magnitude of child labour in Tamil Nadu appears disturbingly large, with nearly 11 children out of every 100 in the workforce. Tragically, this very large presence of orderly, systematic child labour and child illiteracy, together with their thorough dispersal across space, has rendered the phenomenon of child labour an unremarkable, everyday occurrence. The concerns of society and the state remain limited to certain specific occupations in certain specific locations, to the neglect of other occupations and locations which merit at least equal attention.

Journal Article
TL;DR: In this article, the authors study the dangers migrant workers face and make several suggestions regarding protection of migrant workers and for longer term development policies, concluding that migrants clearly face a number of dangers on their journeys and at the workplace.
Abstract: Research by the University of East Anglia studies the dangers migrant workers face. It was noted that over 500000 people migrate during the main monsoonal rice harvest to work in Barddhaman District at the center of West Bengals rice bowl. Despite having more choice than other migrant manual workers recruited by middlemen they are however not usually unionized and are often unprotected by legislation against travel and workplace risks. Overall the study points out that migrants clearly face a number of dangers on their journeys and at the workplace. The study concludes with several suggestions regarding protection of migrant workers and for longer term development policies.


Journal Article
TL;DR: In this paper, four social labelling schemes, viz, RUGMARK, Kaleen, STEP and Care and Fair, are analyzed in terms of their mechanisms, approaches, objectives and their effectiveness over 35 villages spread over nine districts in three states in India.
Abstract: Social labelling is an initiative introduced in the nineties with a view to eliminating the exploitation of child labour in carpet production in India. The four labelling programmes, viz, RUGMARK, Kaleen, STEP and Care and Fair are analysed in terms of their mechanisms, approaches, objectives and their effectiveness over 35 villages spread over nine districts in three states in India.

Journal Article
TL;DR: The issue of modernisation of madrasa education brings up the vested interests of fundamentalist elements trying to protect their turf and the political system which strives to utilise the backward for electoral gain this paper.
Abstract: The Indian nation cannot march forward with a major segment of its largest minority group remaining backward, illiterate, unenlightened and weak. It is the duty of every section of Indian society to help in the mainstreaming of this section. But the issue of modernisation of madrasa education brings up the vested interests of fundamentalist elements trying to protect their turf and the political system which strives to utilise the backward for electoral gain. Strangely, the interests of the non-secular religious groups and those of the so-called 'secular and progressive' politicians merge, reinforcing one another.

Journal Article
TL;DR: In this article, the authors present a new set of integrated poverty and inequality estimates for India and Indian states for 1987-88, 1993-94 and 1999-2000, and show that poverty decline in the 1990s proceeded more or less in line with earlier trends.
Abstract: This paper presents a new set of integrated poverty and inequality estimates for India and Indian states for 1987-88, 1993-94 and 1999-2000. The poverty estimates are broadly consistent with independent evidence on per capita expenditure, state domestic product and real agricultural wages. They show that poverty decline in the 1990s proceeded more or less in line with earlier trends. Regional disparities increased in the 1990s, with the southern and western regions doing much better than the northern and eastern regions. Economic inequality also increased within states, especially within urban areas, and between urban and rural areas. We briefly examine other development indicators, relating for instance to health and education. Most indicators have continued to improve in the nineties, but social progress has followed very diverse patterns, ranging from accelerated progress in some fields to slow down and even regression in others. We find no support for sweeping claims that the nineties have been a period of unprecedented improvement or widespread impoverishment.

Journal Article
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors identify the factors influencing off-balance sheet (OBS) activities of public sector banks in India using pooled data analysis for the period 1995-96 to 1999-2000.
Abstract: The paper seeks to identify the factors influencing off-balance sheet (OBS) activities of public sector banks in India. Using pooled data analysis for the period 1995-96 to 1999-2000, the analysis reveals that (i) size plays an important role in influencing OBS activities, and (ii) higher the levels of capital and liquid assets, lower the incentive of the banks to engage in OBS activities. This is in consonance with hedging theory, which contends that the aversion to risk might be an important determinant for banks not actively engaging in OBS activities.

Journal Article
TL;DR: The traditional face of banking is undergoing change - from one of mere intermediator to that of provider of quick cost effective and efficient services as discussed by the authors, and a discussion on these challenges and issues arising as a result of the ongoing financial sector reforms is important.
Abstract: The traditional face of banking is undergoing change - from one of mere intermediator to that of provider of quick cost effective and efficient services. In most emerging economies the banking sector is having to face difficult challenges. A discussion on these challenges and issues arising as a result of the ongoing financial sector reforms is important. What are the weaknesses in the system and how may it cope with the critical issues which will arise as a result of the reform process?

Journal Article
TL;DR: The history of Islam in the US has been changed dramatically by the events of September I I I, 200 I. The directions now being taken reverse earlier tendencies on the part of American Muslim political organisations to narrow the boundaries of the community and to emphasise foreign policy issues at the expense of domestic ones.
Abstract: Author(s): Leonard, KB | Abstract: The history of Islam in the US has been changed dramatically by the events of September I I, 200 I. The directions now being taken reverse earlier tendencies on the part of American Muslim political organisations to narrow the boundaries of the community and to emphasise foreign policy issues at the expense of domestic ones. · These new directions, however, broaden the boundaries of American Islam in other ways, drawing more widely on the religion's rich, long-standing traditions of humanistic and legal scholarship. Importantly also, the directions now being taken are being strongly shaped by non-Muslim politicians and the media in the US, in an interaction between American Muslims and the state that is, perhaps paradoxically, drawing Muslims more closely into national political Life.

Journal Article
TL;DR: In this paper, a recalculation of the surplus extracted by Britain from India and Burma demystifies the astonishment expressed by most commentators about the very large proportion British foreign investemnt formed of its GDP and the apparently perverse desire of the British to retain an empire which was less profitable than, say, investment in the USA.
Abstract: In the era of the rise of industrial capitalism and its development in western Europe and the USA the transfer of part of the income from the major colonies played a critical part in boosting investment in western Europe and allowing enormous amounts of investment to be directed towards sustenance of the mass migration of Europeans to overseas colonies such as the USA, Canada, Australia, New Zealand or South Africa However, the size and even the direction of the flow of surpluses have been obscured by the usual methods of calculating the value of foreign trade from the mercantilist era down to the present The author's recalculation of the surplus extracted by Britain from India and Burma demystifies the astonishment expressed by most commentators about the very large proportion British foreign investemnt formed of its GDP and the apparently perverse desire of the British to retain an empire which was less profitable than, say, investment in the USA The realisation of the enormous surplus was an integral part of the mechanism by which the white-settled colonies were populated and equipped and therefore could not be treated as a substitute for that process

Journal Article
TL;DR: Gujarat has a relatively high per capita income, a diversified economy and workforce and developed financial and capital markets, but the state lags behind in terms of the quality of employment and several dimensions of human development as discussed by the authors.
Abstract: Gujarat has a relatively high per capita income, a diversified economy and workforce and developed financial and capital markets. On the other hand, the state lags behind in terms of the quality of employment and several dimensions of human development. This paper seeks to delineate the profile of Gujarat's development with a view to understanding the mixed results and inferring the likely directions of future development.

Journal Article
TL;DR: The recent national water policy lacks substance, direction and seriousness in addressing the real issues in India's water problems as discussed by the authors, and the attempt to find quick-fix solutions has perennially hindered long-term planning and process and setting up of institutional arrangements coupled with legal and legislative support.
Abstract: The recent national water policy lacks substance, direction and seriousness in addressing the real issues in India's water problems. The attempt to find quick-fix solutions has perennially hindered long-term planning and process, and setting up of institutional arrangements coupled with legal and legislative support. In this context, it will be helpful for India to study the comprehensive water policy document introduced in South Africa and draw relevant lessons for an integrated approach to water management.

Journal Article
TL;DR: Rural and urban areas under the new panchayat raj amendments will not only have to make their own plans but also generate some resources locally as discussed by the authors, which brings into sharp focus the many problems thrown up by the existing definitions of rural and urban area which impinge on effective local governance.
Abstract: Rural and urban areas under the new panchayat raj amendments will not only have to make their own plans but also generate some resources locally. This brings into sharp focus the many problems thrown up by the existing definitions of rural and urban areas which impinge on effective local governance. (authors)

Journal Article
TL;DR: A study of sports history is crucial not only to understand the evolving sporting heritage of a nation, but also to appreciate seemingly unrelated political processes such as nationalism, colonial culture, etc as discussed by the authors.
Abstract: A study of sports history is crucial not only to understanding the evolving sporting heritage of a nation, but to appreciate seemingly unrelated political processes such as nationalism, colonial culture, etc. Moreover, vernacular sources present a fundamentally different understanding of history as this paper demonstrates in its study of Bengali tracts on sport which sheds light on imperialist-nationalist politics in late colonial Bengal.

Journal Article
TL;DR: In this article, the role of three factors: high public debt and the structure of this debt, the overhang of non-performing assets, and the policy being pursued with respect to accumulation of foreign exchange reserves.
Abstract: This paper tries to assess why lowering interest rates is proving to be hard in India. It singles out the role of three factors: (i) high public debt and the structure of this debt, (ii) the overhang of non-performing assets; and (iii) the policy being pursued with respect to accumulation of foreign exchange reserves. These three factors are causally linked to each other and should not be looked upon as mutually exclusive contributors.