India aims to be a US$30 trillion economy by 2047 as a high-income country. The Viksit Bharat@2047 vision as articulated in the Union Budget 2024-25 envisages an economic framework with nine Viksit Bharat priorities/pillars. This project seeks to systematically map the outcome indicators of each of these priorities in the TPP and SDF-NIF programmes to the Viksit Bharat pillars. This will involve identifying the relevant departments/ministries and constructing a monitoring framework to track the progress of the Viksit Bharat mission.

This study seeks to document the availability of ‘non-compliant’ cigarette brands across urban areas in India. It provides a comprehensive overview of the regulatory and tax policy frameworks that govern cigarette sales. Based on field surveys from selected cities, the study presents insights about the share of cigarettes of varied brands and raises major concerns over the growing presence of illicit cigarettes in India. The study further reviews measures adopted by other countries to address illicit tobacco products and identifies actionable measures that may strengthen India’s regulatory framework and enforcement mechanism to protect public health and curb illicit cigarette trade.

This study will evaluate the performance of the Fifteenth Finance Commission Health Grants in light of its unique design, and derive insights on the factors that affected its performance. Specifically, it intends to identify enablers, barriers and critical challenges faced by States in effectively utilizing the grants. (Report submitted to NHSRC Ministry of Health and Family Welfare for approval)

This 12-week consultancy study aims to enhance infrastructure performance monitoring and develop a comprehensive framework for infrastructure monitoring. Infrastructure is vital for economic growth, productivity and human development. Yet, its monitoring remains fragmented across ministries, leading to inefficiencies. While the Government of India prioritizes infrastructure tracking, existing frameworks are scattered across various departments/ministries, thus hampering a holistic view on infrastructure performance.

This study has proposed additional indicators to enhance infrastructure performance measurement, proposed an Infrastructure Utilization Index, and offered recommendations to IPMD for a more strategic approach towards infrastructure performance measurement for ensuring appropriate policy interventions.

The public sector units (PSUs) in Tripura, which were set up to act as engine of growth for the State and galvanize employment opportunities, have fallen short of their objectives due to diverse factors. The PSUs suffer from a number of issues, starting from their geographical positions, shortage of raw materials, lack of skilled staff and managerial efficiencies. For most of the PSUs, annual perennial losses have wiped off the capital, and are acting as a drag on the State finances. Therefore, there is an urgent need to ensure private participation through Disinvestment. Asset monetization, recapitalization, rationalization of expenditure, optimization and upskilling of the workforce, adoption of technology as well as branding and promotion are required to make their products competitive and services effective. Coordination and collaboration with the respective Research Institutes and Industry bodies is required to develop high-end products. Collaboration with North Eastern Development Finance Corporation Limited (NEDFI) for assessing loanable projects, upskilling of workforce and promoting entrepreneurship by Social Sector Corporations should be explored. (Report submitted for Approval)

The report aimed at addressing the following issues pertaining to the State’s finances in general and fiscal responsibility legislation in particular:

― Compliance of the State Government to the provisions of FRBM Act in the fiscal year 2020-21

― Assessment of the macroeconomic outlook

― Assessment of State finances in terms of revenue effort, Central transfers, spending pattern and debt management

(Report submitted for approval)

The study aims to assess the impact of frequent elections on the implementation of ongoing schemes. The implementation of the MCC and its undeniable impact on policy actions and freeze on any type of new or fresh expenditures. Simultaneously, the induction of a very large number of government staff for election duty impacts both normal revenue collections and implementation of ongoing programmes and schemes. An impending electoral calendar may also tempt the ruling dispensation to announce programmes, schemes and subsidies and/or tax waivers or concessions designed to influence voters. These programmes could be part of the budgetary announcements or post-budget announcements in an election year. Resources for these could be found by implicit reduction in some other expenditure allocations. The impending electoral calendar may lead to an expenditure spree not matched by related outputs or outcomes to favour chosen areas and agents.

This study explores the possibility of additional revenue mobilization by the Government of Tripura. The primary focus is on the State’s own tax revenues (OTR). The study covers State GST, State Sales Tax/VAT, State Excise, Motor Vehicle Tax, and Passenger and Goods Tax. (Report submitted to Government of Tripura for approval)

MoPR commissioned this study to study the landscape of finances of Panchayats in the context of Panchayati Raj Acts, activity mapping at the District, Block and Gram Panchayat levels and capacity to raise own source revenue (OSR) at the Gram Panchayat institutional level, and prepare a viable financial model for generating OSR. The report reviews statutory and other factors affecting OSR generation at the Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRI) level. The report suggests a viable financial model through econometric analysis and a few modifications in State PRI Acts, activity mapping and other administrative and HR-related issues.