Fiscal Policy And Economic Development In India

Cover -- India's Fiscal Policy -- Title -- Copyright -- Contents -- Foreword -- Acknowledgements -- Disclaimer -- Introduction: Contours of the Indian Fiscal Policy Debate -- Notes -- 1 Fiscal Policy in India Trends and Trajectory -- Introduction -- Basic concepts and analytical framework -- India's fiscal policy architecture -- Evolution of Indian fiscal policy till 1991 -- Liberalization, growth, inclusion and fiscal consolidation (1991-2008) -- Crisis and return to fiscal consolidation: The maturing of Indian fiscal policy -- Conclusion -- Notes -- References -- 2 Decentralization, Indirect Tax Reform and Fiscal Federalism in India -- Introduction -- Economic disparity across Indian states -- The GST and the role of the FC -- Some recent reforms in indirect taxation and their beneficial effects -- Some remaining issues with the indirect tax structure -- Agenda for indirect tax reform -- Structure of transfers from the central government to state governments -- FC transfers -- PC transfers -- Centrally sponsored schemes -- Transfers to PRIs and urban bodies -- Conclusions -- Notes -- References -- 3 Fiscal Implications of Energy Subsidies -- Introduction -- Petroleum subsidies -- Subsidies in the coal sector -- Subsidies in the power sector -- Renewable energy sector -- Conclusions -- Notes -- References -- 4 Fiscal Implications of Food Security in India: A Critical Review -- Introduction -- Concept of food security -- Fiscal policy and food security in India -- Food security policies in some countries -- Bangladesh -- Bhutan -- Maldives -- Nepal -- Pakistan -- Sri Lanka -- Review of food security policies in India -- On availability -- On access -- Antyodaya Anna Yojana -- On nutrition -- Integrated child development services -- Mid-day meal scheme -- Social security through MGNREGS -- NFSA, 2013: What are the macro-fiscal impacts?

Originally published in 1960, with a second edition in 1969, this book is of special interest for having been the first systematic attempt to discuss problems of fiscal policy from the point of view of promoting economic growth in underdeveloped countries. It deals mainly with problems of tax policy, and outlines the economic principles by which the structure of taxation in developing economies can be constructed and evaluated. The work made a distinct contribution in the field of Development studies by reorienting the theory of fiscal policy originally developed in the economically advanced countries to the problems, requirements and institutional structure of an underdeveloped, over-populated country with a mixed enterprise system.

Ever since Shaw and McKinnon published their path-breaking works on financial development in 1973, there has been extensive research on the effects of monetary and financial policies on economic growth of developing countries. This book puts forward a new paradigm of monetary development theory along Keynesian lines. The approach is substantiated by providing a fresh perspective on India's economic development after Independence.

India is the second most populous country in the world and also one of the poorest. From the late 1940s to 1980, India's per capita income grew at an average annual rate of only two percent. Expansionist economic reforms during the 1980s boosted economic growth but also unfortunately resulted in high inflation and a balance of payments crisis. As a consequence, in 1991 the government announced sweeping new changes in economic policies. Economic Policy Reforms and the Indian Economy evaluates the effects of those changes and identifies areas of the Indian economy still in urgent need of reform. After an overview of Indian economic policies and development since independence, papers focus on the country's fiscal situation, the environment for private economic activity, education, the reservation of certain activities for small-scale industry, and determinants of differentials in rates of growth across the different Indian states. Contributors include respected academic specialists on India and policy reform, high-level Indian administrators, and present and past policymakers.