Insights
Chasing black money: Need for universal information framework to track illicit fund flows
June 15, 2016
There is much anger among the people with regard to black money, also known as Illicit Fund Flows (IFFs). The revelations of Panama Papers, based on the leaked information about the business of Panama-based offshore law firm, Mossack Fonseca, has brought the issue to limelight again.
The Panama documents are not the tip of the iceberg, they are a mere speck; here's why
April 12, 2016
The deepening scandal initiated by a massive leak of financial documents from a Panama-based law firm, Mossack Fonseca and Co. has once again highlighted the glaring loopholes in the global financial system – which is at once big news and tediously familiar. One may concur with the shock at corruption in Russia, involvement of political leaders from various countries, and the fact that the leaks have prompted a political crisis in Iceland.
Budget 2016: At the Time of Deepening Distress, Govt's Rural Push may not be Adequate
March 4, 2016
The preliminary reactions of many people after the Budget presentation gave the impression that farm sector got a boost in terms of a significant increase in budget outlays for the sector. But a closer look reveals that behind this apparent increase is the accounting adjustment of funds for interest subvention, earlier reported under the Ministry of Finance, now shown under the Ministry of Agriculture.
Rail Budget 2016: Prabhu Signals Shifting Focus to Customers, Staff
February 26, 2016
Preparation of budgets is traditionally an incremental process: the first railway budget of the present government took off from the landscape sketched in the 12th Five Year Plan. Expansion, modernisation and development of railway infrastructure were to be given thrust through 3Ps: Public-Private Partnerships.
Budget 2016: Will Changed Centre-State Resource Sharing Impact Fund Usage for Development Schemes?
February 26, 2016
Most states are left with unspent balances in development schemes of different departments, which in turns impairs achievement of objectives of these schemes. Though, the extent and quality of fund utilization varies across states and across schemes, this is a rampant problem.
Budget 2016: PAHAL may be a Success but not all DBTs are; FM should mind the Gaps
February 24, 2016
Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) schemes, in vogue for some time in India now, have surfaced with renewed fervour over the last year and a half. DBT, as the term suggests, is a strategy aimed to electronically transfer price subsidies and benefits provided under various welfare schemes as cash directly into the bank accounts of beneficiaries.
Budget 2016: Lagging Quality Education; Increase Public Investment to Improve Basic Infrastructure
February 24, 2016
Providing free and compulsory education to all children is enshrined in the Indian Constitution as a Fundamental Right. Adoption of the Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education (RTE) Act, 2009 gave further impetus to the national efforts for ensuring ‘quality education’ for all in a time-bound manner.
Nirbhaya Fund is a Dud; Jaitley Should Urgently Find Ways to Utilise It
February 22, 2016
The high incidence of violence against women and the ensuing public outcry has brought the issue to the forefront of the policy discourse in the last few years, underscoring the need for the government to undertake substantive interventions to address gender based violence.
Recent OP-Blogs
- In Bihar, low registration for a govt scheme keeps pregnant women from accessing healthcare
- What does the Interim Budget Say about Government Expenditure Priority?
- Empowering agriculture: Prioritising farmers and addressing sector challenges
- Need for SDG-linked outcome budgeting in India: A case of Assam
- How much did the Interim Budget push for India’s Climate Action?
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