CBGA's Work on India's Fiscal Response to COVID-19

-The COVID-19 pandemic has laid bare our pre-existing fault lines and exposed the country to an unprecedented crisis. This situation calls for timely and bold policy measures by governments at all tiers. CBGA has analysed India’s fiscal response to the ongoing, taking into account most of the important measures announced by the Centre and some of the States until the 25^th of May 2020. The analysis is presented in our report titled, “Numbers on the Edge: Assessing India’s Fiscal Response to COVID-19“.

To read the report, click here.

-The imposition of lockdowns caused a massive loss of livelihoods, increasing incidents of hunger and distressed demand for labour. States are weakening their labour laws further making the workers vulnerable and disadvantageously placed. Therefore, it is very important to provide employment and livelihoods to workers to uphold their right to work as citizens and endorse the dignity and bargaining power of millions of workers during the pandemic. MGNREGA being an effective policy tool, its careful repurposing and extension of its scope may improve the level of employment, avoid distressed sale and declining bargaining power of the migrant workers during this pandemic. The policy brief titled “COVID-19 Pandemic: Charting the Way Forward for Migrant Workers” discusses this in detail.

To read the policy brief, click here.

-The COVID-19 pandemic has affected a large number of students across states, class, caste, gender and region. CBGA in collaboration with CRY has prepared a policy brief titled “Impact of COVID-19 on School Education in India: What are the Budgetary Implications?“. It highlights some of the issues associated with school closures which need immediate attention. It also suggests some short-term policy measures that can be implemented in the coming Union and State budgets. However, the overall direction of allocations should not only be limited to addressing issues arising from the pandemic but should go beyond. Hence, the policy brief has also put forward a set of long-term measures that the government should implement in the due course of time.

To read the policy brief, click here.

In this area of intervention, CBGA is carrying out policy advocacy on fiscal measures required in the States – focusing on select States for which we have carried out in-depth policy and budget analyses; and, policy advocacy on domestic and international taxation issues – focusing on national, regional and global policymaking institutions.

For instance, a set of policy suggestions has been shared with select Departments in Government of Assam. CBGA has also responded to the appeal from Government of Assam’s Advisory Committee on Revitalisation of the State Economy; we made a submission highlighting a number of short and medium term measures that the government can consider. Submission document can be accessed here.

CBGA, as a member of the Financial Transparency Coalition (FTC), submitted a letter to a few G77 countries, urging them to extend their support to the work set out by the FACTI Panel (High Level Panel on Financial Accountability, Transparency and Integrity launched by the UN). We engaged in all the cluster calls by this Panel and also made an intervention in the virtual consultation session of cluster 2 on improving cooperation in tax matters. CBGA is also planning a detailed submission to the FACTI Panel, outlining the ways in which the Panel can strengthen its work with respect to human rights and gender equality, dispute settlement, tax cooperation and the international financial architecture. We are also engaging with the Panel through the CSO for FfD group.

CBGA, as a member of the FTC, was involved in organising a virtual event on Tax and Transparency in times of COVID-19 on May 28, 2020, in collaboration with the Independent Commission for Reform of International Corporate Taxation (ICRICT), Oxfam International, and Public Services International.

CBGA made a submission to the UN-ESCAP Secretariat on the tax response needed in Asian countries to deal with the repercussions of the COVID-19 pandemic. The submission, made through the NGO Constituency of the Asia Pacific Forum on Sustainable Development, focused on the reforms Asian countries need to consider to national tax systems (progressive taxation through wealth tax, higher corporate income taxes and taxes on specific sectors); transparency measures to curb illicit financial flows and tax abuse; and international systemic change needed in the international institutional architecture on tax.

CBGA is also convening, virtually (through Webinars and Online Meetings), CSOs from different parts of the country - focusing on the budgetary response to the pandemic in different sectors or different States and those focusing on the implications for some of the most disadvantaged sections of the population - to facilitate exchange and learning among the various actors in our community of practice, and identify key issues for further analysis and advocacy.

Webinars Organised

Webinar on Gender Responsiveness of Policy Responses to COVID across Select Countries

6 May, 2022

CBGA and Feminist Policy Collective are jointly organising a Webinar on ‘Gender Responsiveness of Policy Responses to COVID across Select Countries’ to be held on May 6, 2022 (Friday) from 11:00 am to 1:00 pm UTC (4:30 pm to 6:30 pm IST).

 

For more details on the Webinar, Click here.

The Budget Dialogue: a Webinar on Union Budget 2022-23

4 February, 2022

Being released in the middle of the third wave of Covid, the Union Budget for 2022-23 will play a crucial role in shaping the trajectories of revival in socio-economic development of the country. It will also reveal the extent and composition of the fiscal support for government interventions towards addressing inequality and exclusion that have aggravated in the wake of the pandemic. In this context, CBGA is organising ‘The Budget Dialogue: a Webinar on Union Budget 2022-23‘ on Friday, 4th of February (6.00 pm – 8.00 pm IST).

For more details on the Webinar, Click here.

Addressing Child Protection Concerns during COVID-19 and Beyond

18 November, 2021

As a run-up to World Children’s Day celebrated on November 20th each year, CRY – Child Rights and You and Centre for Budget and Governance Accountability (CBGA) are organising a half-day webinar to discuss the various dimensions of child protection during COVID and also reflect on some of the emerging concerns that need government and civil society attention.

For more details on the Webinar, Click here.

The Budget Dialogue: A Discussion on Union Budget 2021-22

4 February, 2021

The COVID-19 pandemic has posed serious challenges in almost every sector, with people from the marginalised sections getting disproportionately affected and inequalities getting exacerbated. In such a situation, the Union Budget for 2021-22 will define the country’s fiscal policy response to the prevailing challenges and the trajectories of revival in socio-economic development. It will also reflect clearly the future of fiscal federalism in India, based on the recommendations of the 15th Finance Commission for the years 2021-22 to 2025-26.

In such a context, CBGA invites you to an online discussion on the Union Budget 2021-22 with eminent economists, policy experts and social activists.

Event Details

Date and Day: February 4, 2021 (Thursday)

Time: 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm

Link to Register: https://tinyurl.com/y6b4ojme

For more details on the Webinar, Click here.

Revisiting Public Provisioning for Child Nutrition During and Beyond the Pandemic

22 January, 2021

CBGA and Child Rights and You (CRY) had organised a Webinar on 22nd January 2021 (2:30 pm to 4:30 pm). The Webinar brought together academics, policy experts, practitioners from the grassroots and NGOs focusing on child nutrition and health to discuss the aforesaid issues and challenges in the context of the approaching Union Budget and State Budgets for 2021-22.

For more details on the Webinar, Click here.

Universal Access to Education: Revisiting Public Provisioning for Children During COVID-19 and Beyond

15 September, 2020

Centre for Budget and Governance Accountability (CBGA) and Child Rights and You (CRY) had organised a Webinar on September 15, 2020 (from 3.30 pm to 5.00 pm). It brought together academicians, policy experts, civil society leaders and child rights activists to discuss some of the critical policy issues and practical challenges relating to public provisioning of education to 3 to 18-year-old children during and beyond the pandemic.

For more details on the Webinar, Click here.

Decentralised Public Financing for WASH: Current Situation and Needs During and Beyond the Pandemic

21 August, 2020

Centre for Budget and Governance Accountability, IRC, and WaterAid India had organised a Webinar on August 21, 2020.

The key objectives of the webinar were to:

-Facilitate a discussion among key actors on the current status of decentralised public financing for WASH services focusing on the role of the state governments and Panchayati Raj Institutions;

-Highlight the policy and procedural bottlenecks that hinder better implementation of decentralised financing reforms;

-Discuss the potential of improved financing in the present context of COVID-19;

-Identify policy and implementation measures for improving decentralised public financing for WASH in the context of the 15th Finance Commission.

For more details on the Webinar, Click here.

Policy vs. Paranoia: India’s Budgetary Response to COVID-19
A Conversation with CSOs from Several States

29 May, 2020

CBGA, which serves as the secretariat of the People’s Budget Initiative (PBI) network, had organised a Webinar on the 29th of May, 2020.

The key objectives of the Webinar were to:

• Discuss India’s fiscal response to the ongoing crisis;
• Discuss the institutional reforms being introduced in key sectors; and
• Learn from CSOs from several States about State-specific policy initiatives as well as issues and challenges.

For more details on the Webinar, Click here.

Health versus Wealth?: Tax and Transparency in the Age of COVID-19

28 May, 2020

CBGA, as a Coordinating Committee member of the FTC, was involved in organising a virtual event on Tax and Transparency in times of COVID-19 held on May 28, 2020, with the Independent Commission for Reform of International Corporate Taxation (ICRICT), Oxfam International and Public Services International as co-organisers. We also made an intervention on the panel “increasing domestic resource mobilization from wealth”.

For more details on the Webinar, Click here.

CBGA team members, through such pieces, have been drawing attention to some crucial issues that require urgent attention of the policymakers.

Published on News Portals

• Union Budget Lacks Focus on Climate Change Adaptation

  (Newsclick; February 11, 2022)

  The article highlights the Climate Actions in India's Union Budget 22, and analyses the several entwined developments and their plausible aftermaths. It also details out mobilization of resources for Climate Finance including Blended finance, Green bonds etc., along with committed public finances, underscoring the need for a robust policy direction to mitigate the risk of “green washing” in related projects.

  To read the opinion piece, Click here.

• Decoding Health Budget 2022-23: The Good and the bad

  (Newsclick; February 9, 2022)

  The article analyses the Union Budget of 2022-23 from the lens of the health sector and highlights the areas of focus this year and where more attention is needed for strengthening healthcare systems in the country. It also talks about what the budget has provided for tackling the pandemic.

  To read the opinion piece, Click here.

• Does the Union Budget 2022-23 Offer Inclusive Recovery for School Education?

  (Newsclick; February 8, 2022)

  Through an analysis of the Union Budget 2022-23 for school education, the article discusses whether the fiscal support provided for this sector is sufficient to recover from the crisis induced by COVID-19. It also talks about NEP implementation, and sheds light on the schemes that address the digital divide.

  To read the opinion piece, Click here.

• What Does the Union Budget '23 Mean for Sustainable Agriculture?

  (Newsclick; February 7, 2022)

  Keeping in mind the Government's goal of doubling farmers' Income by 2022, it is imperative to look at important budgetary allocations towards the agriculture sector, and the likely impacts of changing schematic allocations in Union Budget 2022. The article discusses some of these issues, in the context of rainfed/dryland agriculture practices which struggle to attain reasonable returns and require special policy attention

  To read the opinion piece, Click here.

• Tax Revenue Performance Perhaps Reflects The Nature Of Recovery

  (Outlook India; February 1, 2022)

  As per latest CGA data, tax collection so far has indeed been impressive. The question however, is whether this can be sustained over a longer period without domestic demand picking up significantly, which in turn requires economic recovery to be more broad-based.

  To read the opinion piece, Click here.

• Budget 2022: Rethinking the Way Child Budgeting Is Implemented In India

  (Outlook India; January 25, 2022)

  A sound public finance management (PFM) roadmap for children is an important entry point for addressing their special needs. There is a need to rethink  the process of child budgeting and strengthen the systems and institutions involved which can go a long way in realising their rights and ensuring their holistic development.

  To read the opinion piece, Click here.

• Budget 2022: What Should Be The Key Focus Of Budget 2022-23 For Agriculture?

  (Outlook India; January 24, 2022)

  The policy direction should have been towards addressing the root cause rather than focusing on short-term measures. The budgetary provisions towards agriculture and allied sectors should be directed towards bringing sector-wide improvement by addressing the need for community-based infrastructure development.

  To read the opinion piece, Click here.

• To bridge the digital divide, bridge the distance between student and teacher

  (Hindustan Times; January 6, 2022)

  While discussions around online education have focused on the digital divide, there is also a need to emphasise the role of teachers. This piece presents findings from a CBGA survey of government school students in Delhi, highlighting gaps in teacher availability and the systemic issues behind it.

  To read the opinion piece, Click here.

• Reopening schools & Building Back Better: The need for public provisioning in education

  (Indian Printer and Publisher; December 20, 2021)

  As schools are reopening after a prolonged closure due to the pandemic, what are the emerging lessons and what could be done for an equitable and sustainable recovery.  Some of these aspects are discussed in this article.

  To read the opinion piece, Click here.

• Protecting children during pandemic requires much more than ‘PM CARES for Children’ package

  (DownToEarth; October 28, 2021)

  The article argues that for a dependent population group like children, services like running care homes, adoption centres, counselling etc. under the existing schemes are both necessary and important and cater to a large beneficiary base. Hence, while the cash transfer initiative by the government is a welcome move as a supplementary channel of funds, the established schemes in this domain must be rejuvenated with higher funds and more judicious utilisation of the same so that they can continue to provide these crucial services to children.

  To read the opinion piece, Click here.

• The Booming Edtech Industry in India: Should We Be Worried?

  (Indian Printer and Publisher; September 30, 2021)

  During the pandemic, with closure of institutions and adoption of online education,we have seen a multi-fold growth of Edtech industries in India. Does this drive for technology in education is a solution for universal quality learning? 

  To read the opinion piece, Click here.

• The Pandemic has Snapped Communication Lines between Schools and Students in India

  (United Nations Foundation; August 27, 2021)

  While India is committed to ‘leaving no one behind’, the digital delivery of school education has left many students out of the loop as initial communication could not be established with them.

  To read the opinion piece, Click here.

• Nirbhaya Fund could help improve women’s safety – but money allotted for schemes is underutilised

  (Scroll.in; February 19, 2021)

  The Nirbhaya Fund continues to see underutilisation across states. Important schemes under the fund have seen cuts in Union Budget 2021-22. The Fund is also limited by design, and needs more resources to effectively address growing violence against women.

   

  To read the opinion piece, Click here.

• Does Mission POSHAN 2.0 Have the Ammunition it Will Need to Be Successful?

  (The Wire; February 3, 2021)

  Nutrition schemes have been clubbed together and jointly allocated funds lower than previous years. Saksham Anganwadi which subsumes four schemes- AnganwadiServices, Poshan Abhiyan, SAG and National Crèche Scheme has an allocation of Rs 20,105 crore, less than the 2020-’21 budget for ICDS alone.

  To read the opinion piece, Click here.

• How Union Budget 2021-22 can support the women workforce

  (Down To Earth; February 1, 2021)

  Women constituted only 18.6 per cent of the population working or looking for work, whereas the number is 55.6 per cent for men, according to PLFS 2018-19. The pandemic and the economic crisis that followed only made the situation worse with a larger number of women dropping out of the workforce. To bridge this gender gap, the government needs to focus on both employment generation programmes and other provide maternity benefits, and creche facilities.

  To read the opinion piece, Click here.

• Union Budget 2021-22: Time to step up public investment in nutrition

  (Down To Earth; February 1, 2021)

  India is facing a higher burden of malnutrition, made worse by the COVID crisis. At such a time, it is important for the government to expand coverage of key nutrition schemes. In 2021-22, higher allocations are needed for Supplementary Nutrition Programme, RMNCH+A component of National Health Mission, and Scheme for Adolescent Girls. Unit costs for nutrition services should also be revised.

  To read the opinion piece, Click here.

• Union Budget 2021-22 must protect allocation for children even after pandemic

  (Down To Earth; January 31, 2021)

  Children have largely remained unscathed by the virus, but disruptions due to the pandemic and the resultant lockdown have affected aspects of a child’s life and wellbeing. Countering such ramifications need financial commitment and a renewed policy focus for children in the Budget.

  To read the opinion piece, Click here.

• This Year's Budget Is Critical to Ensure a Comprehensive Nutrition Response

  (The Wire; January 30, 2021)

  Services provided under a range of important schemes pertaining to nutrition, health, food security etc. that are necessary for achieving improved nutrition outcomes, got severely impacted under the devastating effect of the pandemic. Bold measures are urgently needed in the upcoming Union Budget, 2021-22 for scaling up these programmes.

  To read the opinion piece, Click here.

• What education budget 2021-2022 needs to focus on

  (Down To Earth; January 30, 2021)

  The devastating impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on school-going children at one hand and the rolling out of National Education Policy 2020 on the other hand have made it amply clear that the education sector needs far more attention and priority in the upcoming Union Budget. This article highlights the areas which require adequate budgetary attention.

  To read the opinion piece, Click here.

• A Gender-Discriminatory Crisis Requires a Gender-Responsive Union Budget

  (The Wire; January 29, 2021)

  During the pandemic and economic crisis, women are facing greater unemployment, economic insecurity and gender-based violence. In 2021-22, the government must budget for greater coverage of critical services for women including employment guarantee under MGNERGS, maternity benefits under PMMVY, pensions under NSAP, and utilisation of Nirbhaya Fund to ensure safety and security of women.

  To read the opinion piece, Click here.

• Budget 2021-22 should provide for sustainable water supply, soaps under PDS

  (Down To Earth; January 28, 2021)

  Under the backdrop of the pandemic, budgets for water, sanitation and hygiene should be stressed on even more now than ever. Adequate budgets should be allocated towards sustainable water supply and soaps to be included in the Public Distribution System. Also, there should be a specific component in Budget 2021-22 for water facilities in anganwadis, schools and health centres.

  To read the opinion piece, Click here.

• The idea of a COVID-19 cess: Good for the Centre, bad for states

  (Down To Earth; January 27, 2021)

  Instead of a Covid cess, as proposed by many, higher tax rates on the super-rich whose incomes have been relatively less affected by the pandemic, might be a better solution for raising revenue. This would help generate more tax revenue as well as ensure that states get their due share of taxes.

  To read the opinion piece, Click here.

• Union Budget 2021-22: What should be the priorities for agriculture?

  (Down To Earth; January 26, 2021)

  Apart from efforts aimed at helping the agrarian economy recover from the pandemic, the Union government should accord higher budgetary expenditure on agricultural infrastructure. Provisioning for food security and strengthening public procurement of the produce are the need of the hour, especially when we are still far from the road to economic recovery.

  To read the opinion piece, Click here.

• Union Budget 2021-22: How significant is it in the time of COVID-19?

  (Down To Earth; January 25, 2021)

  Nirmala Sitharaman needs to announce bold measures for undertaking additional public spending on an urgent basis

  To read the opinion piece, Click here.

• Budget 2021-22: खिलखिलाएं नौनिहाल, महिला हो खुशहाल, इन पर हो बजट में विशेष ध्‍यान, तभी खुलेगी तरक्‍की की राह

  (Dainik Jagran; January 11, 2021)

  हमें सबसे ज्यादा ध्यान सर्वाधिक प्रभावित महिलाओं और बच्चों पर केंद्रित करना होगा। उनके लिए आवंटन में बिल्कुल भी कमी नहीं की जानी चाहिए। लंबे समय तक इनकी रक्षा करना जरूरी है।आगामी बजट में इन पर विशेष ध्‍यान देने की जरूरत है।

  To read the opinion piece, Click here.

• Formula for disempowerment of persons with disabilities

  (Telegraph India; November 23, 2020)

  Persons with disabilities  are the  most neglected in the process of inclusive development. While budgetary interventions for this community is highly inadequate, governments'  recent proposals towards whittling down disability legislation might worsen the condition of the PWDs further.

  To read the opinion piece, Click here.

• Rajasthan needs to invest more in secondary education of girls

  (Moneycontrol.com; November 10, 2020)

  The state of girls’ education in Rajasthan remains grim. COVID-19 has increased the probability of more girls dropping out, before they complete their secondary education. The article urges Rajasthan government to prioritise girls’ education and invest adequately to ensure universal access to secondary education for all girls.

  To read the opinion piece, Click here.

• Challenge of Protecting Human Rights in the Virtual World Beckons Civil Society

  (Beyond Headlines; August 27, 2020)

  The piece underscores that a fast changing technology and power dynamics of the virtual world pose unique and complex challenges for human rights. This situation demands a comprehensive, strategic and collective response from the rights based civil society organisations (CSOs). The piece discusses different aspects of the virtual world and their implications to human rights along with the way forward.

   

  To read the opinion piece, Click here.

• To No One's Surprise, Online Schooling Has Started Taking a Psychological Toll on Students

  (The Wire; July 21, 2020)

  Through an online survey of children who are attending online classes, this article tries to capture their experience of this new arrangement of learning.

  To read the opinion piece, Click here.

• Don’t lose sight of long-standing fight against undernutrition

  (The Pioneer; June 21, 2020)

  While government machinery, both at the national and the state level, are trying to tackle the immediate threat of the pandemic, there are concerns around ensuring proper nutrition for children and pregnant women, especially for the marginalised sections. This can have disastrous effects on the long term health of these already vulnerable groups. In this backdrop, the article highlights some of these issues and discusses the need for protecting public provisioning in relevant government schemes and programmes which are crucial for nutrition as well as the need to modify the guidelines to expand the beneficiaries of such programmes.

  To read the opinion piece, Click here.

• COVID-19: Is our Public Health System Battle Ready?

  (NEWS Click; June 15, 2020)

  The study shows that the reach of the government in health care, across states, is limited, which has made the poor section dependent on the private sector, and that has led to economic impoverishment. It requires a large scale increase in public expenditure on health to make the system battle ready.

  To read the opinion piece, Click here.

• Four Ways that MGNREGA Can Be Expanded to Help India's Rural Economy

  (The Wire; June 11, 2020)

  Implementation of MGNREGA has suffered due to an inadequate allocation of resources. This was reflected in lower than legal minimum wages, low level of days of employment creation and leaving out a sizable number of households from receiving gainful employment. Allocation of little over Rs. 1 lakh crore is still inadequate to counter the crisis and a higher allocation will not lead to substantial burden on the exchequer.

  To read the opinion piece, Click here.

• Is Social Distancing Feasible for a Majority of Schools in India?

  (The Wire; May 29, 2020)

  MHRD is exploring the possibility of reopening schools and for which NCERT is preparing guidelines related to social distancing in schools/classrooms. However, data suggests that the majority of the schools are not equipped to implement such measures and one of the prominent reasons is chronic under-funding in the school education sector.

  To read the opinion piece, Click here.

• Is the Agricultural Package Addressing Challenges Small Farmers Face in Pandemic?

  (The Wire; May 22, 2020)

  The stimulus package has not made clear whether or how small farmers will really benefit.

  To read the opinion piece, Click here.

• Health versus Wealth? The 'measure' of our responses to COVID-19

  (Financial Transparency Coalition; May 20, 2020)

  Tax justice and financial transparency are ever more urgent. To start to rebuild an international society worth living after Covid-19 we need a plan that puts human rights at the centre of our response.

  To read the opinion piece, Click here.

• This Pandemic Should Help the Govt Acknowledge the Crucial Role NGOs Play

  (The Wire; May 16, 2020)

  While the government seems to appreciate the potential of NGOs in addressing the immediate aftermath of the lockdown, the need is to foster a complementary and collaborative engagement which looks far beyond.

  To read the opinion piece, Click here.

• Beyond the Pandemic: Taxing times ahead for NGOs

  (Live Mint; May 11, 2020)

  Certain amendments made in the Finance Act 2020-21 alter the validity of registration granted to these organisations. New rules require NGOs and charitable organisations to renew their registration every five years. The Centre must reconsider the amendments so as to make the regulatory environment more enabling for NGOs.

  To read the opinion piece, Click here.

• COVID-19: Can Reverse Migration Help Revive Rural Economy of Odisha?

  (NEWS Click; May 7, 2020)

  The present rural livelihood crisis could have been averted if the government of Odisha would have established small and medium industries in the rural sector, especially Ganjam district.

  To read the opinion piece, Click here.

• Indian education can't go online – only 8% of homes with young members have computer with net link

  (Scroll.in; May 5, 2020)

  The Covid-19 pandemic has exposed how rooted structural imbalances are between rural and urban, male and female, rich and poor, even in the digital world.

  To read the opinion piece, Click here.

• COVID-19: What fiscal steps are needed to ensure food security

  (DownToEarth; April 25, 2020)

  Procurement at the doorstep, direct income support and reaching out to farmers can help in easing farming operations at this crucial time.

  To read the opinion piece, Click here.

• COVID-19 Crisis Will Push Millions of Vulnerable Children Into Child Labour

  (The Wire; April 21, 2020)

  The COVID-19 crisis has a potentially far-reaching, long-term negative impact on children around the world. One impact would be in the form of increase in child labour. The article urges for immediate action from the States to prevent children from lapsing into child labour.

  To read the opinion piece, Click here.

• Disaster Relief Funds to States for COVID-19 Is Welcome, But Centre Must Cushion Further

  (The Wire; April 20, 2020)

  The Union government''s move of releasing of Rs. 11,092 crore to States from the SDRF (State Disaster Risk Management Fund), which was due to them as per the recommendations of the 15th Finance Commission, is timely. But it needs to do more to supplement the resource needs of the state governments, and should provide similar financial support from the NDRMF for the states to respond to the pandemic.

  To read the opinion piece, Click here.

• Shadow Pandemic: Home Is Not A Safe Place for Everyone

  (The Citizen; April 13, 2020)

  In what the UN Women calls a shadow pandemic, unspent money from Nirbhaya Fund with the States must be repurposed to tackle the rising domestic abuse amid the lockdown which has been imposed to fight Covid-19 threat.

  To read the opinion piece, Click here.

• Covid-19 crisis: How can India ensure that agricultural markets work in a socially distanced manner?

  (Scroll.in; April 13, 2020)

  To keep agricultural markets operational while maintaining the norms of social distancing, FPOs can play a crucial role. These should be empowered with all support to ensure smooth operations of agricultural supply chains avoiding distressed sales during the lockdown period.

  To read the opinion piece, Click here.

• What Does the COVID-19 Lockdown Mean for Food Security?

  (The Wire; April 6, 2020)

  At a time when the Rabi crop is ready for harvest and the Kharif crop will be sown, quick and effective policy responses are required.

  To read the opinion piece, Click here.

Published on CBGA website

• Charitable organisations help others, but for that they need an enabling policy atmosphere

  (March 10, 2022)

  The Indian government, like many governments across the world, provides tax incentives for donations to charities. This article discusses how the tax incentives for donation in India compare with select other countries, and suggests how such policies can be made more enabling.

  To read the opinion piece, Click here.

• India’s new budget: much fanfare, missed opportunity

  (March 7, 2022)

  India’s second Union Budget (for FY 2022-23) during the pandemic, was expected to overcome the crisis , as done by almost all other countries in the world. The piece tries to examine the strategy employed by the budget and room for effecting an economic revival and equitable recovery through it.

  To read the opinion piece, Click here.

• Why do ASHA workers in India earn so little?

  (June 29, 2021)

  The piece unpacks the policy framework governing the compensation for ASHA workers. It analyses the various challenges faced by this cadre of frontline workers, particularly in light of the pandemic. It argues for improvement in their status, as well as the need for pushing gender-responsive employment policies in India.

  To read the opinion piece, Click here.

• Some International Developments on Issues of Tax Justice and Corporate Taxation

  (June 16, 2021)

  The piece explores several new developments on the international taxation front. It touches upon the new agreed-upon G7 deal on corporate minimum taxation. Furthermore, it analyses the various newly released reports on specific issues of tax justice, and the linkages between taxation and social welfare.

  To read the opinion piece, Click here.

• Swadhar Greh: Scheme for Women in Distress is in Distress

  (June 15, 2021)

  The piece examines the status of the Swadhar Greh scheme. The  continuous decline in number of shelter homes, as well as budget allocation for Swadhar Grehs and under-utilisation of funds across states is critically examined.

  To read the opinion piece, Click here.

• Can we get the public expenditure management framework for agriculture sector right?

  (April 19, 2021)

  The piece reflects upon the shifting priorities of the union government from core to non-core interventions in terms of budgetary allocation for the sector. It also discusses the problem of under-utilisation of funds across the select states and its possible reasons for the RKVY scheme.

  To read the opinion piece, Click here.

• Unpacking the Government's Revised Tax Revenue Projections for 2020-21

  (February 15, 2021)

  The Union Budget has revised downwards the tax collection for FY 2020-21 by Rs. 5.2 lakh crore, or 22 per cent. This article looks at the tax collection data till December, and analyses how likely are the new estimates.

  To read the opinion piece, Click here.

• The Gendered Impact of COVID-19 on School Education

  (December 1, 2020)

  School education in India has been severely affected by COVID-19. However, this impact is not equally distributed. Girls are more vulnerable than boys due to the numerous challenges they already faced, especially at the secondary level. This article briefly explores the different ways in which the pandemic impacts girls’ educational opportunities.

  To read the opinion piece, Click here.

• Tax justice is more important than ever

  (November 16, 2020)

  The economic response to the Covid-19 crisis mostly relied on fiscal and monetary measures. However, progressive taxation and financial transparency measures have so far been neglected, and are equally important to address the inequalities exacerbated by the pandemic.

  To read the opinion piece, Click here.

• Beg your pardon: Give children food, shelter, education, not alms

  (November 9, 2020)

  The incidence of children begging on the street has increased a lot during the COVID-19. The article urges for immediate actions from the states and NGOs to rescue and rehabilitate these children and also to prevent children from entering or being forced into begging and other forms of exploitation in the first place.

  To read the opinion piece, Click here.

• Government should Spend More, and Worry Less about the Fiscal Deficit

  (October 29, 2020)

  Even when the GDP growth rate and employment have fallen dramatically, the Indian government has been reluctant to engage in expansionary fiscal policies.  This article argues that these concerns from higher fiscal deficit are not applicable in India currently.

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• Losing Precious Time: Impact of COVID-19 on Early Childhood Education

  (September 25, 2020)

  COVID-19 has completely unravelled the prevailing early childhood education (ECE) systems. This article discusses the modes of ECE in India, the impact of this pandemic on it, parental perceptions and finally impresses upon the need to figure out a workable solution to once again begin providing the necessary ECE to children of this age group.

  To read the opinion piece, Click here.

• Nutrition should not be forgotten in the face of pandemic

  (August 11, 2020)

  Interrupted ICDS, NHM, and NNM interventions targeted at addressing undernutrition, and deepening poverty and food insecurity in the face of COIVD-19 pandemic, spell out dire consequences for nutrition. Therefore, the approved budget for nutrition has to be retained to sustain and enhance the interventions and the infrastructure delivering them.  

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• Tackling Climate Change and Practicing Environment Sustainability must be woven in India's Vision for "Atmanirbhar Bharat"

  (May 18, 2020)

  While the country’s attention is rightly focused on the more urgent public health and relief measures, the government also started envisioning for an “Atmanirbhar Bharat” to recover from COVId-19 influenced economic crises. What is important, however that as the Government do so, the measures they put in place to help the economy recover from this extraordinary shock should be designed with climate challenge and environmental sustainability in mind.

  To read the opinion piece, Click here.

• Using DMFT Funds to restore the Health Facilities during the Covid Crisis

  (May 11, 2020)

  The District Mineral Trust Funds (DMFTs) have huge potential for improving the current pandemic situation. State/ district administration should strategize these funds for addressing immediate needs like screening and testing requirements alongside planning long-term improvement of health facilities.

  To read the opinion piece, Click here.

• Addressing Inequality to Rejuvenate Cities Post-Pandemic

  (April 30, 2020)

  With urban areas at the centre of coronavirus, we need to rethink how our cities function so that existing inequalities are addressed, while providing stimulus for job creation and economic growth.

  To read the opinion piece, Click here.

• Impact of COVID - 19 in Rural Areas of Andhra Pradesh and Government's Response

  (April 28, 2020)

  Like rest of the country, Andhra Pradesh has also seen a severe spike in the Covid-19 cases and has implemented the lockdown very stringently. The A.P. govt. has been taking several measures to ensure that the public have access to basic necessities and healthcare. However, the shutdown of markets, industries and transportation had a huge impact on the lives of rural and tribal people for whom a word like ‘lockdown’ was totally unheard of.

  To read the opinion piece, Click here.

• COVID-19 Lockdown: Prospects for Labour Mobility and Employment

  (April 10, 2020)

  The employment conditions may worsen as a number of businesses will be permanently affected due to COVID-19 lockdown. To avoid an increase in unemployment, policies should be prioritised towards the rural economy.

  To read the opinion piece, Click here.