An autonomous research institute under the Ministry of Finance

 

Strategy? What Strategy?

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04/04/2019

The Niti Aayog has unveiled its 41 Chapter ‘Strategy for New India @ 75.” I am baffled as to why such a document is produced so late in the lifetime of this government. Still, the intention is welcome; since the abolition of the Planning Commission, there has been no …

How to analyse budget forecasting errors

04/04/2019

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Volatility in intergovernmental fiscal transfers has had significant impact on the forecasts of public deficits by state governments.

 

Does the ministry of finance produce biased budget forecasts in India? Does the electoral cycle predominantly determine the fiscal behaviour of the Centre? The answers …

The economic agenda for 2019

07/01/2019

The focus has to be on reforming public sector banks and on managing the fiscal situation, at the Centre as well as in states. There may not be any reforms until the elections are over. Hopefully, the year will see significant resolution of the bad loan problem and …


Concerns with Delhi Metro

19/12/2018

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(Coauthored with Ajay Shah)

 

The primary input that goes into an infrastructure project is money. In the case of the Delhi Metro, cost estimates run to Rs.5.52 Billion per km for the underground stretches and Rs.2 Billion per km for the over-ground stretches. The construction cost …

Ensuring Budget Transparency & Accountability

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04/12/2018

When the estimate itself is questionable, should we be unduly concerned about slippages of one or two decimal points?
 
Over the years, the various “innovations” made to contain deficits have cast serious questions of credibility. While the credit rating agencies and economists rant about the …