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The institutional credit has been devised to play a crucial role in the rural development of India. The public policy on rural credit in India has been focused on institutionalization as a means of providing cheaper credit to farmers. However, the persistence of moneylenders in the rural credit market is still a major concern. This paper is based on a primary field survey and deal with the nature and extent of peasant class differentiation and the nature of access of rural households to rural finance alternatives in West Bengal. Accessibility and distribution of credit will be our major concerns of investigation. We shall try to also explore the role of institutional credit in the process of differentiation. This helps us to understand whether there exists any biased socio-economic framework to access rural finance facilities. In an attempt to study and analyse the ground situation, this study undertook a detailed analysis of all relevant variables to examine the structure of investment and production taking place in West Bengal. The other objective of this paper is to enquire whether there exists any contradiction in objective and principle, the practice of Microfinance run by Government or private or panchayat or cooperative leading to creation of obstacles in the realization of rural development goals. The sample households collected from relatively advanced and backward areas are distributed according to economic classes defined by Patnaik (1976) side by side with the standard acreage groupings. Subsequently, we explored the degree of association between the two criteria and found that the two criteria of households are associated with each other but they are not identical. The analysis in this paper would help us to know first of all, to highlight the agrarian relation and peasant class differentiation in West Bengal on a sample of diversely developed regions. Second, to what extent households are dependent on private sources of credit vis-à-vis the institutional sources, Third, whether credit absorption has something to do with the intensity of class differentiation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper traces the location of the principles of India’s Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education (RTE) Act, 2009, in the country’s most recent National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, and the documents leading up to the policy. It draws on the capability development approach and critical theory that facilitate understanding education as a fundamental right, moving beyond the narrow understanding of education as a mere instrument for the global economy. It also draws on global education policy literature and critical policy analysis lens to examine the assumed policy rationality. Based on a qualitative document analysis the paper argues that the policy does not demonstrate a commitment to the ideas of public-funded elementary education, child-centered democratic learning environment, and bridging the gap between equity and quality. The recommendations signal a further dilution of the RTE mandates. The policy statements and linguistic choices show an allegiance to neoliberal discourses reflecting the influence of global education policy transfer without systematic consideration of the realities of Indian school education. This approach indicates a missing link between the policy aims and social justice, that does not bode well on the educational rights of the marginalised children. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A comprehensive case study of Mumbai (Bombay), India was undertaken to investigate the economic, social and environmental impact of international trade of waste paper for recycling purposes between industrialized and developing countries. Analysis of a Western approach vis-a-vis informal policy for waste paper recovery concludes that employment is maximum under informal policy measure and public response playsan important role in maintaining environmental quality. The study further shows that income inequality is more under informal policy, andwithout policy public cost will increase continuously in the future.The net present value of the informal policy is found to be higher than that for the formal policy. Econometric study on input substitution in the Indian paper industry suggests limited substitution possibilities between domestic and imported waste paper. Results from a static material balance flow model indicate that environmental impacts are less with increased trade and economically the paper sector in India benefits from free trade. Based upon the results of the study, somepolicy recommendations have been made that may enhance the efficiency of waste paper recycling in India. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper focuses on the attitude of tribal parents regarding the education of girls. This review paper intends to understand the attitudes of tribal parents towards the education of girls in India and West Bengal, according to their gender, educational level, and socioeconomic position. We determined that tribal parents have a positive mindset for their daughters' education. They realize the importance of education, however they cannot control certain situations, such as migration and the negligence of the girls towards their coeducation. The essential point in all these instances is that tribal parents in India desire to educate their daughters; the majority of them face severe challenges due to a lack of schools or lack of basic infrastructure within the area's current schools. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An essential characteristic of firm size distribution patterns in developing countries including India, is a bimodal distribution with a "missing middle", which is widely accepted in development economics. We analyse data from the Annual Survey of Industries (ASI), National Sample Survey (NSS) and Economic Census to assess the firm size structure of the whole non-farm sector. The contribution of the paper is that for the first time a comprehensive database is constructed to enable analysis of the size structure of India's non-farm enterprises. The second contribution is that we find a deep distortion in India, with even a "small"-scale sector being very small, relatively. We examine briefly the policy-related causes that make India an outlier even among Asian economies in respect of size structure of enterprises. Finally, we argue that the historically policy-induced informality of enterprises is being entrenched by the current hiatus in state policy in even recognising the true nature of the problem of micro, small & medium enterprises (MSMEs), which holds back both their growth and employment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Small-holder agriculture and rural societies are often presented as declining and deteriorating contexts in media as well as national and international policies. The solutions aimed at addressing this decline often is framed in terms of external (market and policy) interventions while simultaneously presenting agrarian-rural societies as static and impoverished. This essentialist view of agrarian-rural societies is based on a modernist knowledge politics that functions by creating asymmetries of power through the practices of definitions and categorizations of understanding and engaging with the world. Binary oppositional categories, such as the rural and the urban, knowledge and experience, and nature and culture, is one route through which this knowledge politics unfolds. Rather than providing sustainable solutions, approaches based on these binaries have often exacerbated the vulnerabilities and challenges of agrarian-rural societies in terms of resource depletion, loss of biodiversity and livelihoods, deterioration of social ties, and challenges to food, nutrition, and health. In this paper, we present a comparative study of two Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) from India and Spain, which are engaged in the constructive practices of building relational connections across these binaries in order to re-envision agrarian-rural societies beyond modernist knowledge politics. Additionally, the paper brings together the cases from India and Spain to reflect on the binary of global south and north to build relationality and solidarity. • Agrarian-rural societies are often presented as declining and deteriorating in media and policies. • This is based on a modernist knowledge politics that functions by creating power asymmetries through binaries (such as urban and rural). • We study two CSOs engaged in practices that build relationality, interdependence, and care across modernist binaries. • The cases from India and Spain enable reflection on the political South-North binary and the possibility of building global solidarity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Equal access to universal, equitable quality inclusive education for all is the key to attain leadership in global stage in terms of economic growth, national integration, social justice and equality, scientific advancements and cultural preservation in India. National Educational Policy (NEP) 2020 is an attempt of 21st century which addresses growing developmental imperatives of the nation. The National Educational Policy 2020 has proposed the revision and revamping of all aspects of educational structure including its regulation and governance by keeping view of Sustainable Developmental Goal 4. The policy of 2020 gives stress on providing equitable quality education for all children for recognizing, identifying and fostering the unique capabilities. This paper is an attempt to discuss the recommendations suggested by NEP 2020 for both school and higher education level and analyse the challenges in order to ensure equitable, inclusive quality education for all. The discussion is based on secondary sources of data. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In today’s world, women entrepreneurs play an imperative role and they have become central figure of the global business environment and it is really important for the inexorable monetary progression and social progress. Though women play a vital role in the society still their entrepreneurial capabilities have not been appropriately tapped due to the inferior position of women in Indian society. The foremost purpose of this article is to find out the status of women entrepreneurs in India and it also focuses on rationale grounds behind women entrepreneurship. Furthermore, the present paper focuses on the analysis of Indian Government policies on women entrepreneurship and also to analyze those policies which are adequate for the growth of women entrepreneurship. Main reasons for women to become an entrepreneur, the institutions that are serving the women, to put their views into action are also included in this study. On the basis of this study some suggestions are given to encourage spirit of women entrepreneurship to become a successful entrepreneur. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This short communication piece questions whether unaffordability really matters for families to reject improved fuels. It presents the case of an Indian village where nearly every house has successfully introduced a TV, but only one house adopted LPG for cooking. Considering that the former is more expensive than the latter and whilst both are relatively new and energy-related technologies, the paper asks how and why people decided to adopt one extensively but not the other. Methodologically, the study employs a mixed method approach, collecting both quantitative and qualitative data. The findings suggest that the lack of sufficient income has little influence on people to adopt or reject improved fuels. The paper argues that it may not give us a clear picture if we research why people choose or reject one fuel over another. This paper demonstrates that to understand a household's fuel choice decision, it is essential to understand the broader decision-making context within which families operate and make all decisions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Agricultural sector continues to play a crucial role for economic development, especially in low-income countries like India where the sector is large both in terms of aggregate income and total labour force. This paper aims to identify the key sources and drivers of agriculture growth in Uttar Pradesh, the largest food producing state of India. The study is conducted as a quantitative time-series analysis for the period 1990-1991 to 2014-2015 using simple least square method (p = 05). Although, the volatility of agriculture represented in terms of coefficient of variation is low in Uttar Pradesh in comparison to the national average, yet the growth of gross domestic product from agriculture (GDPA) has been low. The agricultural economy of Uttar Pradesh continues to be dominated by cereals with around 60% of its gross cropped area under cereal crops. The results of regression analysis indicate that better rainfall, irrigation facilities, favourable terms of trade, road development and fertiliser use played an important role to improve agriculture growth in the state. The paper offers a perspective for policy formulation which may be of interest to development scholars and policy-makers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Well defined and futuristic education policy is essential for a country at school and college levels due to the reason that education leads to economic and social progress. Different countries adopt different education systems by considering the tradition and culture and adopt different stages during their life cycle at school and college education levels to make it effective. Recently Government of India announced its new Education policy which is based on the recommendations by an expert committee headed by Dr. Kasturirangan, Former chairman of the Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO). This paper highlights on various policies announced in the higher education system and compare them with the currently adopted system. Various innovations and predicted implications of NEP 2020 on the Indian higher education system along with its merits are discussed. Finally, some suggestions are proposed for its effective implementation towards achieving its objectives. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The pi esent paper is exploratory in nature and represents the micro approaches in the process of analysis. It would be micro in nature to the extent ofstudy intended to highlight the policies and programmes of Tribal welfare department. The paper would identify certain success and failure issues, while implementation o f Tribal welfare policies. This paper deals with the policies and programmes of Tribal Welfare Department, in Telangana Government. The census of India 2011 enumerates the total population of scheduled tribes in India at 10, 42,81,034 persons, constituting 8.6 percent of the population of the country. There are around 744 (There is no unanimous opinion on recognition ofnumber of Scheduled Tribal groups in India) scheduled tribe categories officially recognized by the Indian government as scheduled Tribes in the 5th scheduled o f the constitution of India, they are speaking 105 languages and speaking 225 subsidiary languages. There are 32, 39,327 lakh scheduled tribes population in Telangana state as per 2011 census. They constitute 9.34% of the total population of the state, and there are 35 groups of scheduled tribes are recognize in united Andhra Pradesh state list, out of which 16 tribal groups are in Telangana state and 4 groups recognized as a primitive tribal groups (PTGs) in Telangana state. The Scheduled area recognized in Telangana state (scheduled area extend over 17,352.78 Sq. Kms, and covering 1504 villages) are in Adilabad, Warangal. Khamam and Mahabuhnagar districts, under the 5th scheduled, the district collector of the district acts as the agent to the governance fo r ensuring peace and good government in tribal areas.In the last 67 years o f independence, tribal development may be categorized into three sections; i.e., positive, negative and suggestive responses. The positive response indicates the achievements so fa r made and the expectations o f the further development in future. They utilize the concessions in education and jobs and secured many jobs and acquired high qualifications. In the field ofpolitics, they reached higher posts by contesting in the reseiyations seats. Besides, some exceptional cases of tribal occupation of higher posts in state and union governments. Kariya Munda, The Deputy Speaker of present Lok Sabha belongs to tribal community, and earlier 11th Lok Sabha speaker was PA. Sangma is also a prominent tribal leader. There are many tribal leaders, eligible to reach the constitutional positions of India. (Ex. J.M. Lingdo, the former Chief Election Commissioner) These aspects show that tribal s have a positive response to the development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

One of the most important causes for the proclamation of Internal Emergency in India in 1975 was the then Prime Minister, Mrs. Indira Gandhi's belief that following the Allahabad High Court judgment against her newspapers incited the people and created an inflammatory situation. On 26th June, 1975 the government decided that a law should be passed to prevent "scurrilous" and "malicious" writings in newspapers and journals, news agencies would be restructured and Press Council of India wound up. It was felt that the government policy regarding issuing of advertisements to newspapers and magazines should be reviewed. The censorship on the Press, the only independent media in the country, was thus invoked. The reaction of the 'so-called' independent Press, however, left much to be desired and except a handful, the print media presented a reluctant and disinclined picture. The easiness with which it relinquished its independence shocked everyone. The sterility of the fourth estate in India along with the ethics of the Indira government is discussed in this paper. This paper discusses one of the most powerful politicians of India, her most controversial and harsh decision of imposition of Emergency and press censorship and the response of the press thereto. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper looks into the overall trends in rural wages from 1983 to 2011-12, and attempts to analyse the factors that led to the unprecedented rise in rural wages (particularly since 2007-08) which attracted much policy debate. Did growth in agricultural productivity lead to the unprecedented rise in rural wages? Or was the uptrend determined by factors outside the agricultural sector, most importantly the implementation of the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) since 2006-07, and the overall economic growth with the resultant structural changes in the labour market? Using panel data regression, the paper finds that the MGNREGA was not the sole factor responsible for this uptrend, as has been claimed by several researchers. Factors such as agricultural productivity, construction sector growth, urbanisation, and literacy also majorly contributed to the rise in rural wages. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Approximately 95% Industrial units in India are under SMEs category. • Analysed ICT based key factors using Grey-DEMATEL. • This work assist SMEs in reducing food losses and achieving sustainable growth. • 'Government initiatives and policies', and 'Public-private partnership', are influential drivers. Indian food sector is facing severe problem of wastage of about 30% of farm products due to inefficiency in operations of Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs). The SMEs in Indian food sector are facing different challenges, such as financial issues, lack of technical skills and investment in the business etc. In this sense, several key factors can help food SMEs in reducing wastage of farm products and lowering energy consumption for sustainable growth. Thus, this paper tries to identify and analyse key factors for Information Communication Technology (ICT) applications for a sustainable growth of SMEs in Indian food sector. Grey based Decision-Making Trial and Evaluation Laboratory technique was applied for analysis of factors. From findings, 'Government initiatives and policies', 'Public-private partnership', and 'Encouragement to ICT service provider' are topmost influential cause group factors. While, 'ICT integrated effective food supply chain', 'Coordination between different departments', and 'Collaboration and strategic alliances across supply chain' are highest influenced factors. Results suggests that 'Government policies and initiatives' are at the core of the efforts to upgrade food supply chain. As, Indian government is the largest customer of SMEs and controls various policy-making aspects in food sector. Therefore, government has to take steps to encourage private and foreign investments as well as promote IT service providers and business environment related economic policies to improve competitiveness of Indian food sector. This work would help managers to develop efficient ICT applications for an effective sustainable growth of SMEs in their respective food supply chains. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper discusses the details and results obtained from a study carried out on a roof top 20 kWp solar photovoltaic (PV) power plant in a reputed manufacturing industry in India. Although there is plenty of sunshine, various financial supports and government policies, the growth of photovoltaic (PV) power plants in developing countries is still facing significant barriers due to unclear techno-economic aspects of the PV power plant. Therefore this paper highlights a few salient features of the installation, operational performance and economic calculations of a grid connected solar photovoltaic (PV) power plant. A few important aspects of solar power plant installation such as the feasibility of location in terms of geographical data, solar panel mounting design, interfacing aspects of PV system with grid are outlined. The results obtained from the study such as month wise energy generation, performance ratio, capacity factor, maintenance aspects, economic analysis, etc. of the system are discussed in detail. The study enables researchers and engineers in this area to understand roof top solar PV power plant and its economic viability. It is expected that this study will encourage and provide guidance to industries in this region to set-up similar PV power plants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In November 2016, the Government of India (GOI) demonetized the commonly used Rs500 and Rs1,000 denominations. This was a short-term economic policy, known as notebandi, implemented as a means to address black money, counterfeit currencies, and terrorist activities. Notebandi was unrolled in a chaotic, confusing, and complex manner, leaving many people with limited access to cash in their daily activities. And the poor, who tend to earn their livelihoods from cash, were faced with economic exclusion and even destitution. In this paper, we argue that demonetization had disproportionately negative consequences on the poor and trace the main pathways between demonetization and the health of the poor. We conclude by calling on public health researchers to monitor and evaluate the health consequences of India’s latest demonetization and to rapidly assess future policy initiatives in order to help advise governments in devising and implementing economic policies that does not harm the health of people, especially the poor. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Jeevandayi Arogya Yojana, recently re-launched and renamed as Rajiv Gandhi Jeevandayi Arogya Yojana is a unique and popular health scheme in Maharashtra. The scheme has been in operation since the last fifteen years and provides for free surgeries to Below Poverty Line (BPL) patients in the state. An outcome based analysis of the scheme as discussed in this paper reveals the extent to which the scheme is able to reach out to the poor, thus enabling them to access tertiary care. The paper provides lessons on the implementation of outcome methodology for a health scheme that may be useful to other agencies and governments interested in outcome budgeting. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper seeks to examine some of the key issues relating to outcome budgeting in India. It begins with a discussion on the genesis of outcome budgeting in the country and goes on to highlight some of the major weaknesses observed in the current practice across Union and State governments. Some of the major problems witnessed in the process of utilisation of budget outlays, particularly those meant for social sector programmes/schemes have been outlined. Besides, this paper also tries to identify some of the major planning and policy bottlenecks which could be resulting in the problems witnessed in utilisation of budget outlays by states. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

There exist many actors within the realm of education policy planning and implementation, namely: the policy makers; the national, local and regional institutions engaged in the dissemination and interpretation of these policies; and the educational institutions that implement these policies at the ground level (schools). While schools are largely perceived to be at the receiving end of these policies, they are also held most accountable for any failures in effective implementation. The systemic factors, including: differences in local and regional institutions; the organizations that make decisions around functions, accountability and resource allocation; and the immediate environments surrounding the schools, are often ignored. This paper highlights institutional differences that affect policy implementation in two mega cities of India, namely, Mumbai and Delhi. The paper suggests that policy reshaping rarely considers the feedback from the bottom up; rather, policies are revised largely based on global and national agenda shifts rather than in response to on-the-ground impact of their implementation. The paper argues for a more reciprocal relationship between policy and practice, identifying the need for practice to influence policy in a mutually reinforcing process. Further, the paper argues that innovation at the local level of policy implementation is a critical mechanism by which such a reciprocal relationship can be established. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

At about the same time when India jumped into the 'globalization, privatization and liberalization' bandwagon, it rediscovered its umbilical ties with the members of Indian diaspora. We am very proud of the accomplishments of the members of the diaspora. This paper is i attempt to probe whether we are equally responsive to the plight of the less fortunate members of Indian diaspora located in South East Asia. In the first section of the paper, I will take a brief note of how to define the Indian diaspora, and will trace how the policy of the government of India towards the diaspora has undergone a shift. I will attempt an examination of the present sociopolitical status of Indian diaspora in Southeast Asia in the second section with special attention to Malaysia and Myanmar where the Indian diaspora face challenging situations. In the third section, I will try to evaluate how far the policy measures suggested by the High Level Committee on Indian Diaspora (L.M. Singhvi Committee, 2002) address the grievances of people of Indian origin and will also attempt to point out what remains to be done. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper discusses the implementation of some of policy frameworks envisioned in the Indian Constitution as Directive Principles of State Policy. The paper critically examines the policy initiatives and achivement levels in Madhya Pradesh. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The National Rural Employment Guarantee Act of 2005 is a major development in the history of poverty reduction strategies and rural development policies in India. The NREG scheme is a necessary step for the alleviation of rural poverty. Poverty reduction has been an important goal of development policy since the inception of planning in India. Various anti-poverty, employment generation and basic services programmes have been in operation for decades in India. The NREGA (National Rural Employment Guarantee Act) attach a great importance to removal of poverty, and addressing specifically the wide variations across states and the rural urban divide. Though the successful passage of the Act is due to the long struggle by NGOs, academics, and some policymakers, its successful implementation is a much bigger challenge. Effective implementation of the Act requires that labor-intensive works be planned for the needy poor on a continuous basis; that the right kind of assets are undertaken to promote the development of the local/regional economy; and that the labor-absorbing capacity of the mainstream economy be raised and assets maintained well and used productively to generate benefits for the poor, as well as to promote pro-poor economy growth. Anti- poverty strategy has three broad components: promotion of economic growth; promotion of human development; and targeted programmes of poverty alleviation to address multi-dimensional nature of poverty. The various programmes targeted at the poor have been streamlined and strengthened in recent years, including through the NREGS. The present paper will discuss the Anti-poverty, employment generation and basic services programmes and NREG programme particularly with physical performance indicating Assets created under NREGA particularly with reference to Karnataka State which went in a phased manner. Thus, the paper concludes, with an overview of the national framework of poverty alleviation strategy, policy prescriptions and more effective anti poverty strategies are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The paper outlines the problem faced by India, in dealing with its rural poor, who live in 600,000 villages with poor infrastructure and continue to do so, even after 60 years of independence and constitute about 72.2% of 1027 million. The paper also deals with means and measures to increase their income level. To achieve this, the government must redefine its policies and strategies, deploy information and communication technologies (ICTs) innovations with application and active participation from development organizations. It presents an overview of ICTs and their role in development, particularly in the context of millennium development goals (MDGs). Details select ICTs innovations of India in achieving MDGs. Further, it lists out India’s position in relation to MDGs by highlighting India’s target, current status and steps taken to achieve them. Concludes that with well thought out planning, comprehensive development strategies devised in the national policy and matching implementation process, it is hoped that India will be able to meet the challenges and achieve all the MDGs targets much earlier than the targeted dates. India’s progress in achieving the MDGs will impact not only on its own people but also on the development of South Asia and the world. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The Pre-Natal Diagnostic Techniques (Prohibition of Sex Selection) Act, 1994 was introduced in Indian Parliament in 1994 and became operational since 1996. But ever-falling female sex ratio in 2001 especially in some of the northern states continues to be a matter of concern. Based on both the secondary and primary information collected in the field from all districts of Punjab, this paper attempts to find out the extent of untrained doctors (both allopathic and non-allopathic) using ultrasound machines, the purpose for which ultrasound scans are being conducted and to understand the referral mechanism for undertaking qfl ultrasound scan the paper has important policy implications. Among other things, the paper points out that much is required to be done to stop female foeticide in the state. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Policy processes are a complex configuration of actors and interests that have different opportunities for influencing and shaping policy as they position themselves in the different sites in which policy making takes place. Since policy making remains an essentially indeterminate and unpredictable process of engagement in which outcomes are always uncertain and contingent, the possibilities for change and alternatives to emerge cannot be bounded off. It is here that the emergence of new "policy spaces" offers opportunities for the engagement of those conventionally excluded from policy deliberations. Through the case study on Delhi water Reform project this paper analyzes how policy spaces create opportunities for change and open up possibilities for shift in direction. This process becomes an important entry point to understanding the dynamics of alternative narratives and agendas in making policy. The paper concludes that the Indian water policy process has largely ignored social demands at the policy formulation level, and new public policy suggestions have been limited, yet still the voices of the citizenry have created space for dissent and, to some degree, have forced changes in what began as an essentially top-down process. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present paper intends to discuss the impact of Self Help Groups programme for the political empowerment of women in Anatapur District. The paper also focuses on the relationship of independent economic activities and earnings of women in respect of their political participation in Village Panchayats, Mandal Praja Parishads and Zilla Parjshads. After 73rd Amendment Act, 33 per cent of reservation for women was provided. Though the act facilitates the reservation to women, the positions were managed by male members of the family. However the impacts of SHG's on poverty eradication and opportunities for taking up independent economic activities have changed the conditions of women in rural areas. In view of this the paper focuses on how women political empowerment has taken place in Gorantala mandal, Anantapur district by the implementation of public policy (SHG's). Findings of the paper have been drown by observing in to the primary data as well as field observations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper bestows a critical view on dam displacement through a new concept; social re-exclusion, which coined to describe exclusion of excluded. How the indigenous people have been re-excluding in Indian context from their original exclusion position is illustrated in this paper. It is elucidate that how Indian welfare state is ignoring the welfare of some of the marginalized sections, and re-excluding them as dam displaced people, with out providing proper rehabilitation. This paper also argues that social re-exclusion, which loaded with miseries of the re-excluded people leads to resistance against the state. Further, article concludes that state should include the excluded rather than re-exclude them through providing proper rehabilitation facilities for their full-fledged inclusion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The term inclusive growth" has become the latest catchy word in the contemporary development discourse. Earlier the phrases like "growth with human face" or "development with human face" were used to convey the same meaning. What is happening since the onset of liberalization process is the coinage of various terms has become a trend without making any fundamental changes in the developmental policies followed by the different governments. This paper, going beyond the new phraseologies, probes into the policy induced displacement I exclusion process. In this context, the paper analyses agricultural, forest and livestock policies/programmes undertaken by (he government of Andhra Pradesh and their impact in terms of displacement/exclusion of shepherd communities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present paper looks into the unrepresentative character of the existing 'first-past- the-post' (FPTP) system in India and suggests an alternative model so that our democracy can be made more representative and meaningful. The FPTP system of election results in the victory of a candidate with a minority (less than 50% of votes polled) of voles which enables the candidate who gets the most votes (need not be a majority of total votes polled) to win an election in a multi-cornered contest. This implies that only a minority of voters who have voted for the victorious candidate get any representation at all. The voters (often a majority) who voted for the defeated candidates go unrepresented. It means that they have wasted their votes. At the national level, this phenomenon leads to a disproportionality between the percentage of votes polled by political parties and the number of seats won by parties. In order to correct this drawback in the present Indian system, the Mixed Member Proportional system is suggested in the paper. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article explores the small-scale studies on safe motherhood that were assessed in a workshop in New Delhi, India in February 2007. The workshop evaluated whether the studies could contribute new insights that might lead to policy proposals aimed at addressing the increasing number of maternal deaths in India. The papers presented at the workshop included studies from a the single district of Dharmapuri, survey and interview data from sub-district levels and ethnographic studies of villages, slums and hospitals in Delhi, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Jharkhand and West Bengal. A paper by Sarah Hodges placed safe motherhood initiatives in a historical context, while the research by Alaka Basu warned against two dominant understandings of the cause of high maternal mortality in South Asia.

Public policy refers to the policy of government and denotes rules and procedures and substantive programmes too. It is the outcome of decisions about the allocation of resources. Thus, Public policy must be distinguished from decision. It also differs from administration that refers to implementation. Public policy is in an amorphous stage. It does not confines to Political Science only but embraces economics, sociology, anthropology, psychology etc which fall in different disciplines. Policy either concerns with the change forming the dynamic aspect or with the keeping up of status quo forming the static aspect. Moreover there is no clear boundary between policy and administration; instead they mingle with each other. Policy is a dependent variable of the political process but some scholars disagree with the view and argue that policy is itself an independent variable affecting the political process. Policy making is done within the framework of the constitution of a country with her structural character but there are some factors shaping policy making. First public opinion that reflects through elections conferring the role of determining state policies on elected representatives. Secondly, political feasibility and economic considerations are also essential element of policy making. A policy is distilled from the administrative practice also. Three features stand out in public policy making in India-deterioration of the Legislature ; complementarity of directive principles of state policy and fundamental rights and plurality and compositeness. There is lack of an organ for a detailed study necessary for policy formulation in India. Due to centralist culture the objectives are not always defined clearly and ambiguity prevails. The Indian Government's move to introduce OBC reservation in the institutions of higher and professional education giving more space for demand of reservation, the question of merit and problem of creamy layer have been taken into account in this paper. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Indian government is currently promoting and subsidising the replacement of solid cooking fuels with cleaner-burning liquefied petroleum gas (LPG). India is however a growing importer of LPG, the cost of which strongly linked to the prevailing oil price, which makes this program vulnerable to oil price shocks. Dimethyl ether (DME) is a synthetic fuel which may be blended with LPG and, if produced from domestic Indian feedstocks, one way of potentially reducing this vulnerability. A techno-economic analysis of the use of low grade Indian coal for this purpose is described in this paper, and the coal rich state of Jharkhand, where more than 18% of households used coal as a cooking fuel in 2011, was chosen as a study area. Here it was found that, due to higher cooking energy efficiency, the production and use of the DME (together with an associated electricity export) could result in 35% less coal being consumed when compared with a scenario where coal is used for cooking and to generate an equivalent amount of electricity. This analysis further shows that producing DME through this means would likely require oil prices in excess of $72 per barrel to be cost competitive with imported LPG. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper examines the combination, and mutual reinforcement over time, of political marginalisation and resource-related conflicts that have affected indigenous communities in Cotopaxi province, in the highlands of Ecuador – based on ethnographic fieldwork studying the relational dynamics of community organizing and indigenous political action. Over the course of the last century, national policies for agrarian change focused successively on ‘modernization,’ agrarian reform, and integration into globalized markets and systems of production. Indigenous populations have consistently been targeted by these policies – the existence of widespread poverty was often dubbed the ‘Indian problem’ by institutions of authority. However, government policies directed at this ‘problem’ have repeatedly recreated the very issues they outwardly sought to resolve: rural indigenous populations have been redefined (as peasants, then workers, or now ‘partners’ in national agricultural projects), but they have not been repositioned. The ‘problem’ can thus more accurately be located within the histories of dispossession and systemic politico-economic exclusion that both (i) support structures of inequality, and (ii) allow environmental and juridical injustices to persistently shape the contexts within which rural indigenous communities here, and elsewhere, are acting. Examining the ‘non-Indian problem’ in Ecuador, and the mechanisms behind social and environmental inequalities (Callewaert, 2002) more broadly, this research engages environmental injustice as a socio-historical process rather than the result of discrete events or as an ahistorical phenomenon (Pellow, 2000). In the community studied here – San Isidro – collective action challenges entrenched historical inequalities in access to land and water, and seeks to increase shared labour on common infrastructure, whilst also managing communal areas of páramo moorland. This research identifies links between place-based processes of development and coordinated efforts to defend rural livelihoods – with implications for policies of governance (land rights, water rights), and for the design of localised resource management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper aims at explaining the food crisis that ravaged the life and conditions of the people of Kashmir during pre-modern times. It focuses on a variety of causes behind food shortages with a view to broaden our understanding about the present and to provide a guideline for the future. Besides analysing the philosophy of food shortages, it also dwels upon how the various sections of the society from the 'landlords' through galladars (grain merchants) and waddars (money-lenders) to peasants and workers responded to the situation and the web of consequences that followed from it impacting polity, economy, mentality and culture of the society. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper argues that the lack of structural change (reflected in employment diversification towards higher value added activities) has been a major failure of the development process in India. This feature--which has persisted through both the more dirigiste import substituting policy regime and the more recent period of growth based on market-oriented reforms--is, in turn, seen to be related to the incentives created by patterns of discrimination in Indian labour markets. High productivity enclaves have not generated sufficient demand for additional workers to force an extension of productivity improvement to other activities; instead the accumulation process has relied directly on State patronage in determining access to natural resources and indirectly on persistent low wages in supporting activities or on unpaid labour to underwrite the expansion of value added. This has led to a long-run growth process that generates continued inequality and does not deliver the expected structural change. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: This paper presents findings of a freight transport study carried out for Mumbai city (India). Based on the case study of lunch box delivery system organized by the Mumbai dabbawalas, demonstrated that an informal sector was capable of developing an urban logistics system that was precise, reliable and affordable to the middle class society in Mumbai. These facts suggest an approach based on adapting logistics solutions harmoniously to the urban landscape, public policy, infrastructure and skill sets of the company’s employees in order to be attractive to the end customer, offering a good match between supply and demand i.e., consumer and producer satisfaction. At the same time logistics solutions should evolve continuously in order to be attractive to the core customer base and should be customer driven. These basic management principles can be applied in the management of other urban logistics companies in the world over. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Information literacy encompasses learning to learn and ability to research, evaluation and apply information. Information literacy helps in overcoming the problems of identifying and retrieving right information for the right person at the right time in a right manner. Building an information literate community is a complex process. The purpose of this paper is to briefly examine initiatives by the Government of India in bridging the digital divide. The success story of creating an information literate school community in Kerala has been presented as a model worth replicate. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Internal territorialisation or the formalisation of forest rights has led to increased state ownership in many countries, often ignoring traditional or customary tenure and land use. Because of its roots in a formal government process, the disjuncture between formal rights and local practices may be seen as unproblematic to policymakers, even though it harms the livelihoods of marginalised forest dwellers. In India in 2006, this situation was sought to be addressed by the passage of the Forest Rights Act, which acknowledged the injustices of the territorialisation process and aimed to restore some rights over forest use to forest-dwelling people. In this paper we examine the history of the territorialisation process in forested areas in the state of Orissa, India, and its implications for local inhabitants’ land rights and livelihoods. We use archival research and case studies to examine how imposition of formal land tenure in forested areas failed to recognise rights and led to exclusion, contestation and conflict. The archival research and the case studies were among the evidence presented in the Indian Parliament in support of passage of the 2006 law. They demonstrate the important role that researchers can play in the political process through careful documentation targeted at policymakers. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

This paper is based on the field study conducted in Ananthapur District of Andhra Pradesh during the period 20th Januas'y 2009 to 24th April 2010. The data is collected from the field with extensive interviews from the office bearers of Anantha Paryavarana Parirakshana Samithi (APPS) bureaucrats, cited village officials, Members of the User Groups and common people. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: When examined from the point of view of the size of its population and economy, India is not well endowed with energy resources. Studies done by the Department of Atomic Energy indicate that even after exploiting full potential of every available source of energy including nuclear energy, India needs to continue to import energy resources. In this backdrop, an initiative was launched by Government of India to open up international civil nuclear commerce so as to enable India to access natural uranium from international market and to set up nuclear reactors in technical cooperation with other countries. The paper provides details of what has been done so far, ongoing steps and likely growth scenario for nuclear installed capacity in the country. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The present paper analyses the lndo-Myanmar relations in the global perspective and examines various dimensions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper presents an overview of the political developments in Arunachal Pradesh with: emphasis on an analytical study of the political participation in this hilly state. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper is focused on political dimension of reservation policy with special reference of the state of Uttar Pradesh. The Political trends in Utfar Pradesh are witnessed through mass mobilization. It is evident that lower castes/classes have been mobilized politically at least in, three different ways: Peasant Politics, Reservation Politics and the 'Social Engineering' strategy to enhance the voting behavior. The rise of the Janta Dal (1977-89), Samajwadi Patty (SP) and Bhaujan Samaj Party (BSP) in 1990s a significant Political churning has been underway; it has brought into action the numerous lower castes to restructure the prevailing caste and class privileges. Now, no Political regime can deny their representation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: It is well known that China and India have been recycling centers of WEEE, especially printed circuit boards, and that serious environmental pollution in these countries has been generated by improper recycling methods. After the governments of China and India banned improper recycling by the informal sector, improper recycling activities spread to other places. Then, these governments changed their policies to one of promoting proper recycling by introducing a scheme, under which E-waste recycling requires a license issued by the government. In this paper, the effectiveness of that license scheme is examined by means of an economic model. It can be shown that the license scheme can work effectively only if disposers of E-waste have a responsibility to sell E-waste to license holders. Our results run counter to the idea that international E-waste trade should be banned and provide an alternative solution to the problem. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Policy implementation is of keen importance to the success of a government. Even if the political system is fair, even if the goals are noble and even if the organizational structure is very strong; no policy can succeed if the implementation part is not up to the mark. The implementation of government policies and programmes is now playing a vital role in the developmental strategy. However, there are studies to show that the implementation aspect is the most neglected, which makes a study of the institutions that make policy as much as those who implement them all the more important. Measured by economic growth or attainment of human development objectives, India remains not only an underdeveloped country but one which is usually regarded as an under-performer, which could do better, lilt is accepted, the question then arises as to why be this case. Was the policy adopted by the state not right? Or was it not implemented properly? Or was the political commitment and support for the desired course of action lacking? The paper seeks to probe these and related issues and also looks at possible reforms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The relations between India and China have been strained since both the countries got independence. Both the countries consider each other as a threat to their power projection both at the regional and international level. China always had a hot pursuit towards India and both the countries have also fought war. Chinese incursions in Sam du-rung-chub valley in 1986-87 and at other parts of Indian borders have always posed a foreign policy challenge for India. China has been following a consistent policy of engaging Indian neighbors to break the Indian hegemony in the South Asian region. Recently China and Sri Lanka have come quite close and China is making all efforts to groom the relations to its logical conclusion. This paper therefore, an analysis of the implications of Sin-Sri Lanka convergence on the security matrix of India. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Government of India and several state governments have taken steps to adopt e-governance in many areas of Public Administration such as Public Services. Rural Services, Revenue and Police Administration, Social Services, Public Information, Agriculture, Commercial and Municipal Services, etc., Irrespective of the type and nature of process invoIved in public management systems, it is an indisputable fact that Karnataka State effectively used e-governance as an 'enabling' technology to enhance the performance of the administrators. With all its related components, IT provides competitive advantage financial gains, better delivery of services, besides ushering in authenticity, accountability, transparency and speed to the working of administrators. That is perhaps why Karnataka State has been witnessing and experiencing IT revolution during the last many decades with the establishment of Infosys, Wipro, and IT companies. In fact, Bangalore has been called as the "Silicon Valley" of India. But to keep pace with the changing trends, administrators should constantly hone their capabilities through IT Training. Indeed the success of the administrator lies in absorption, adaptation end acquisition of IT and IT based technologies to compete globally. To make E-Governance work, it is necessary to train the present work force to work in a new technology driven atmosphere. Therefore the Union Government and State Governments have to adopt a comprehensive e-governance policy and programme. The paper analyzes the E- governance initiatives in India, in general and Karnataka in particular. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present paper's purpose to analyses socio-economic and political background of the Shiromani Akali Dal legislators in their different assemblies that were constituted in Punjab during the period 1997 to 2007. The author has taken into consideration the variables such as gender, caste, age, rural-urban background, education, occupation and legislative experience of the Shiromani Akali Dais legislators. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]