India's pharmaceutical success mirrors Janus, the Roman god with two faces. The sector boasts the highest number of US FDA-approved plants outside the US, showing a forward-looking commitment to quality and global standards. Dr @bibekdebroy writes. (1/5) Contrasting this success is a concerning past: over 2,500 of 88,844 drug samples tested were sub-standard and 379 spurious. Stringent checks by CDSCO highlight the ongoing battle against subpar pharmaceuticals. 2/5 newindianexpress.com/opinions/2023/…

C-sections, essential for mother-baby safety in some cases, are on the rise. The choice between medically advised, elective, & financially motivated C-sections can be complex. India's rate jumped from 17.2% to 21.5%, raising concerns. @adityasinha004 & @saini_ak08 write. 1/4 The disparity in C-section rates across Indian states is alarming. Telangana records a high of 60.7%, while Nagaland has only 5.2%. Such variations suggest non-medical factors at play, potentially compromising women's autonomy. 2/4 livemint.com/opinion/online…

Contrary to global trends showing a decline in democracy, India sees a strengthening in democratic traditions & institutions, with a notable surge in women’s political participation. Women have become predominant agents of change in Indian democracy. Dr @ShamikaRavi writes. 1/5 Remarkable progress has been noted in women's roles as voters & candidates in India. The increase in women contesting elections across assembly constituencies is 7-fold over the last 4 decades. A robust indicator of reducing gender disparities. 2/5 timesofindia.indiatimes.com/blogs/shamika-…

India's Consumer Price Index tracking is akin to an antique store filled with obsolete items like CDs, DVDs, torches & trunks. These items represent dated consumption patterns & a nostalgic clinging to the past. Dr @bibekdebroy & @adityasinha004 write. (1/5) The CPI basket should reflect the fluidity of societal needs, preferences, & economic conditions. Yet, current weights point to an over-reliance on food inflation & don't reflect Engel's Law or the modern Indian's consumption habits. 2/5 thehindu.com/opinion/op-ed/…

Land records and property rights underpin economic stability and social equity. Clear property rights are key to capital generation, investment, & prosperity, & address inequality by protecting individuals' assets. Dr @bibekdebroy, Dr @BjornLomborg & @adityasinha004 write. 1/10 Formalization of property rights in developing countries, where informal/customary ownership is prevalent, can unlock vast economic potential. However, globally, 70% of people cannot access formal land registration systems; 1 in 5 face a risk of eviction within five years. 2/10

The debate on 'freebies' highlights the risk of wasteful expenditure, threatening fiscal balance & economic growth. Can the antidote to freebies be an Expenditure Council? Dr @bibekdebroy & @adityasinha004 explore. 1/4 An Expenditure Council (EC), akin to the GST Council, could guide India towards sustainable development and fiscal health. By guiding resource allocation, it can focus on long-term prosperity rather than short-term gains. 2/4

Persisting lag in deposit growth behind loan growth in the Indian banking system has hit a 15-year high. With only a 10% increase in deposits compared to 15%+ in loans, it's a scenario raising eyebrows. @neelkanthmishra, Member @EACtoPM wrties. 1/5 Four possible reasons behind this gap are on the table. (1) Withdrawals of physical currency can impact deposit growth. (2) RBI's currency market interventions can also affect money flow. (3) Rising government balances with RBI can briefly remove money from circulation. 2/5

The National Educational Policy & competition will cause some higher educational institutions to close, leading to a need for exit policies for both public & private institutions. This will require greater flexibility in management & administration. Dr @bibekdebroy writes. 1/8 Andhra Pradesh Government issued a policy for private aided educational institutions to either become government institutions or private unaided institutions. This aims to improve performance and resource quality in these institutions. 2/8 bit.ly/3I7suUD

India's data-gathering agencies need to rework survey questionnaires to better address real policy issues, focusing on the needs of today's policymakers rather than perpetuating past questions or catering to donor interests. Dr @bibekdebroy & @sanjeevsanyal write. (1/6) Have you heard of Yorkool mosquito nets? Surprisingly, the National Family Health Survey in India has brand preference questions, with Yorkool being a notable competitor. Yet, there seems to be little focus on other mosquito prevention methods. (2/6) bit.ly/3H8HZL8

EAC-PM WP reveals no evidence of govt. catering only to one community or religion from 2015-16 to 2019-21. Study by @ShamikaRavi, Member, @EACtoPM, examines gains in electricity, bank accounts, mobiles, and toilets. (1/10) bit.ly/41pA44j In some cases, minority communities have gained more than the majority. However, the government needs to focus more on uplifting the poorest 20% across religions & social groups, by improving access to amenities like LPG & water on-premises. (2/10)

Enhancing urban resilience is crucial as cities face growing vulnerabilities from natural disasters & socio-economic challenges. Adaptive governance models & comprehensive planning can help cities maintain stability & thrive. Dr @bibekdebroy & Dr Amit Kapoor write. (1/5) Urban resilience is the ability of a city's systems, organizations & people to endure, adapt & prosper despite shocks & stressors. Addressing global trends like urbanization, climate change & globalization is vital for a resilient urban future. (2/5)

The world has always been uncertain, but India has demonstrated its resilience, performing reasonably well amidst the COVID-19 pandemic and global volatility. India's post-COVID recovery has been robust. India's economic resilience is undeniable. Dr @bibekdebroy writes. (1/5) To accelerate growth, focus on reforms in land, labour, capital markets, and productivity, which are state-level factor markets. A combined effort from states will lead to overall growth in India. States hold the key to India's $5 trillion aspiration. (2/5)

In their 8th column on Legal Reforms, Dr @bibekdebroy & @adityasinha004 shed light on the pressing need for bail reforms. NCRB data reveals 427,165 under-trials in Dec 2021, accounting for a staggering 77.1% of prisoners. In India, legal & judicial reforms are long overdue.(1/10) In December 2021, there were 427,165 under-trials in Indian prisons. 11,490 have been in jail for over 5 years, awaiting trial - a disturbing reflection on criminal justice delivery. (2/10) timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/the-misc…

Corruption is a pervasive issue that drains economies, stifles growth, & undermines public trust. E-procurement is a simple and cost-effective solution for dealing with it. India has lessons for the world. Dr @bibekdebroy, Dr @BjornLomborg & @adityasinha004 write. (1/10) The world pledged to reduce corruption between 2016 and 2030 as part of the Sustainable Development Goals. However, Transparency International's corruption perception index shows no progress over the past decade. (2/10) economictimes.indiatimes.com/opinion/et-com…

India's unity lies not in a common language but in embracing its linguistic diversity. Celebrating local languages strengthens our cultural bonds. Dr @bibekdebroy, Chairman, @EACtoPM, writes. (1/5) In Sanskrit, there are many words for "friend," reflecting the language's focus on verbal roots and functions. This differs greatly from English, where nouns hold direct meaning. This highlights the diverse linguistic structure in India. (2/5) bit.ly/3A1hR16

India’s per capita income & medical/sanitation coverage have increased over the last century. Several govt. schemes have been used to target anaemia. Yet, as per NFHS, the prevalence of anaemia has hardly budged. Why is this happening? @sanjeevsanyal & @ChiragDudani_ write. (1/4) When measuring the prevalence of a disease, there are two factors to consider. The thresholds used as a benchmark against the measured biological marker. The testing methodology used to ensure accuracy in results. There are serious problems with NFHS data on both accounts. (2/4)

Bhu-Aadhaar initiative, also known as Unique Land Parcel Identification Number (ULPIN), aims to digitize and uniquely identify land parcels in India. This could help mitigate court cases involving land disputes & enhance efficiency in land markets. Dr @bibekdebroy writes. (1/10) A Daksh survey found that perception-wise, 66% of civil suits in India are related to land/property disputes. However, the survey is based on subjective perceptions rather than hard data. (2/10)

Excessive salt consumption can lead to hypertension, heart disease, & stroke, & an average Indian consumes more than double the physiological need, dramatically exceeding the WHO’s recommended daily intake of <5g of salt for adults. Dr @bibekdebroy & @adityasinha004 write. (1/11) The staggering economic impact of cardiovascular disease on LMICs is estimated at $3.7 trillion between 2011 and 2025 due to premature mortality and disability, representing an alarming 2% of the GDP of LMICs. (2/11) thehindu.com/opinion/op-ed/…

NEP 2020 aims to reform India's education system by focusing on competition, choice & better regulation. As competition & choice have worked in other sectors, it's time for education, especially higher education, to embrace these principles. Dr @bibekdebroy writes. (1/10) According to AISHE 2020-21, there are 1,113 universities, 43,796 colleges, & 11,296 stand-alone institutions in India. To tap into the demographic dividend, young Indians need better health & education outcomes, but does this mean we need more HEIs? (2/10)

In this latest @EACtoPM Working Paper, Dr @bibekdebroy & Devi Prasad Misra, Addl. Commissioner, @cbic_india examine the volume and direction of Internal Trade in India through the Goods & Services Tax (GST) data. (1/n)

bit.ly/3lqBb3x The advantages of trade are widely recognized as a powerhouse for driving economic progress, creating job opportunities with higher salaries, improving lifestyles through access to cheaper goods and services, and boosting overall consumer satisfaction. (2/n)

In any informal economy, arriving at numbers like the LFPR is difficult. An enterprise survey won’t work. Self-employment remains large, and even within the formal sector, informal contracts are the norm. Dr @bibekdebroy, Chairman, @EACtoPM writes. (1/n) The issue of the female labour force participation rate (LFPR) is an old one and has been extensively written about. The periodic labour force survey (PLFS) has a precise definition of LFPR and it is what you would expect it to be. (2/n) bit.ly/3loDp3H