2 May 2014: Why So Few Women in Politics? Evidence from India

Shamika Ravi
Brookings Institution India Center and Indian School of Business

Abstract:
This paper analyzes women as political candidates in a representative democracy. Using 50 years of assembly elections data at the constituency level from the Indian states, the authors show that women are more likely to contest elections in those constituencies where gender ratio of the electors is less in favor of women. For example, women are more likely to contest elections in backward states like Bihar and Uttar Pradesh where the gender ratio of electors is in favor of men than in socially developed states like Kerala where the gender ratio of electors is more in favor of women. The authors present a citizen candidates model of representative democracy and show that empirical results are consistent with the theoretical predict ions of this model. These results challenge existing policy of random reservation of seats for women.

Date: May 2, 2014
Time: 03:30 P.M.

Venue:
Conference Hall
Centre for Policy Research,
Dharma Marg, Chanakyapuri,
New Delhi–110021(INDIA)

Location:

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25 April 2014: Food Inflation: The Role of Monetary Policy in India

Rahul Anand and Volodymyr Tulin
International Monetary Fund

Abstract:
Indian food and fuel inflation has remained high for several years, and second-round effects on core inflation are estimated to be large. The paper estimates the size of second-round effects using a general equilibrium model of the Indian economy, which incorporates passthrough from headline inflation to core inflation. The results indicate that India's inflation is highly inertial and persistent. Due to second-round effects, the gap between headline inflation and core inflation decreases by about three fourths within one year as core inflation catches up with headline inflation. Large second-round effects stem from several factors, such as the high share of food in household expenditure and the role of food inflation in informing inflation expectations and wage setting. In order to durably reduce inflation, the monetary policy stance needs to be tightened. Analysis suggests that the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) may need to maintain a tight monetary policy stance for a prolonged period of time. In addition, progress on structural reforms to raise potential growth is critical to reduce the burden on monetary policy.

Date: April 25, 2014
Time: 11:30 A.M.

Venue:
Seminar Room 2
Indian Statistical Institute Delhi Centre,
7, S. J. S. Sansanwal Marg,
New Delhi-110016 (INDIA)

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17 April 2014: Spatial Distribution of Economic Activities and Commuting by Workers in Rural and Urban India

S. Chandrashekhar
IGIDR

Abstract:
Unlike migration, scant attention has been paid to the phenomenon of commuting by workers in developing countries. This paper fills this gap by using a nationally representative data set from India to analyze factors that affect the decision of workers to commute across rural and urban areas daily. Results suggest that regions with large peripheral urban areas or concentration of secondary sector jobs are more likely to have commuting workers. Regional rural and urban unemployment rates and rural-urban wage differentials are important push and pull factors in the decision to commute.

To show why commuting matters, the authors establish differences in monthly per capita consumption expenditure (MPCE), food consumption patterns, and dietary diversity across three mutually exclusive types of households: where all members work in rural areas, at least one member commutes to urban areas, or at least one member has no fixed place of work. The paper finds that as compared to households with no commuters, households with rural-urban commuters have higher MPCE and dietary diversity; whereas households with no fixed place workers have lower MPCE and dietary diversity. The paper also establishes differences in the above mentioned indicators across households which differ by their primary source of income.

Date: April 17, 2014
Time: 12:30 P.M.

Venue:
2nd Floor Conference Room
The World Bank,
70 Lodi Estate,
New Delhi-110003(INDIA)

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Note:
Please confirm your attendance by email to Shilpi Gupta (sgupta11@worldbank.org) by Wednesday, April 16th.

7 April 2014: Is Outward FDI from Developing Countries a 'Good Thing'? Policy Implications for Home Countries

Rajneesh Narula
University of Reading, UK

Abstract:
A number of developing countries – such as India – have seen a growth in outward FDI by domestic multinational enterprises over the last two decades. A number of home countries (both developing and developed) have sought to encourage and promote such activity, arguing that such firms reflect their competitiveness and shifting comparative advantage. Other countries have reacted with alarm at outward FDI activity, feeling that it represents a ‘hollowing out’ of domestic assets, signalling a decline in their competitiveness. Professor Narula contends that both can be true simultaneously, especially in those countries that have a ‘‘Lewisian’’ dual economy, such as India. There are costs and benefits associated with outward FDI. Professor Narula argues that there is a greater likelihood that such investments will prove to be capital flight rather than opportunities for domestic upgrading, when generic approaches are applied.

Date: April 7, 2014
Time: 03:30 P.M.

Venue:
NCAER Conference Room
National Council of Applied Economic Research
Parisila Bhawan, 11, Indraprastha Estate
New Delhi-110002(INDIA)

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Note:
Please join us for tea after the seminar. For queries, please contact Ms. Sudesh Bala at sbala@ncaer.org or on 011-2345-2669.

24 April 2014: Role of Business in Improving Cities– The Experience of City Connect

V. Ravichandar
Feedback Consulting

Date: April 24, 2014
Time: 07:00 P.M.

Venue:
Gulmohar Hall,
India Habitat Centre
Lodi Road,
New Delhi – 110 003(INDIA)

Location:

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