NCAER in the News

River linking challenges January 8, 2025

Opinion: Sanjib Pohit. National body needed for inter-State disputes. One of the lasting symbols of late Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee was the Golden Quadrilateral, which was launched to link India’s four major cities: Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, and Kolkata. This project transformed India’s connectivity and boosted trade, commerce, and travel, knitting the country closer together....   Read More

Highlights

  • The road to 2047 for Indian agriculture

    Opinion: Souryabrata Mohapatra and Sanjib Pohit. There are several challenges but also opportunities. India’s agricultural sector faces challenges, including climate change, land degradation, and market access issues. The Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY), introduced in 2016, provides financial assistance for crop losses. With 49.5 crore farmers enrolled and claims totalling over ₹1.45 lakh crore,...   Read More

  • ‘Connector’ countries in a geoeconomically fragmented world

    Opinion: Shekhar Aiyar and Franziska Ohnsorge. As the global economy fragments along geopolitical lines, countries are seeking new ways to flourish, or at least insulate themselves against geopolitical shocks. Drawing from a newly constructed database, this column explores the concept of ‘connector’ countries, which can be vertical along supply chains or horizontal across markets. The...   Read More

  • Climate resilience & Social Justice

    Opinion: Souryabrata Mohapatra. Odisha, on India’s eastern coast, has become a notable example of disaster management and climate adaptation. Frequent cyclones, floods, and coastal erosion have driven the state to implement adaptation strategies praised globally for their effectiveness. However, beneath these success stories lies a more complex narrative that challenges the sustainability and equity of...   Read More

  • The ‘Odisha model’ for disaster resilience

    Opinion: Souryabrata Mohapatra. From its management of the devastating Super Cyclone in 1999 to the more recent challenges posed by the Covid-19 pandemic, the state of Odisha has been a testament to the power of adaptive governance. In this post, Souryabrata Mohapatra discusses four key aspects of Odisha’s model for disaster resilience – multi-layer institutional framework, ground-up...   Read More

  • Woes of MSMEs remain unaddressed

    Opinion: Chetana Chaudhuri and Sanjib Pohit . A focus on MSMEs as job creators is needed. Their problems with GST and credit need to resolved. Recently, Arvind Panagariya, the Chairman of the Finance Commission, expressed his view that employment challenge is on account of the country not being able to generate employment in labor-intensive sectors....   Read More

  • The long road ahead to meaningful energy transition

    Opinion: Souryabrata Mohapatra. The long road ahead to meaningful energy transition. From bringing the power sector under GST with low rates to government support for MSMEs in the renewable energy space, a lot remains to be done The impact of climate change is unmistakable, as seen in the rising number of heat-related illnesses and deaths...   Read More

  • Third Plenum: China’s unending pursuit of stability

    Opinion: Udaibir Das. From foundational reforms to progressive milestones.  Since the pivotal economic reforms in 1978, China has strived to mould its financial sector to meet macroeconomic, social welfare and stability objectives. However, the outcomes have been mixed, leaving the country to experiment with various approaches. Marked by results often falling short of expectations, China...   Read More

  • Global inequality is narrowing — and that is cause for celebration

    Opinion: Shekhar Aiyar. Westerners worried about growing disparities at home shouldn’t overlook the transformative effect of liberalization in India and China. Imagine that across the length and breadth of America, working-class wages grew much faster than the incomes of millionaires. Rustbelt states started catching up with their more prosperous coastal counterparts. But these developments came...   Read More

  • Building infra at the core of Viksit Bharat

    Opinion: Souryabrata Mohapatra and Sanjib Pohit. Key challenges are efficient utilisation of allocated funds, timely completion of projects, and a balance between urban and rural development. India’s ambitious vision to achieve developed nation status by 2047 hinges on a transformative journey through infrastructure development. This journey is not merely about constructing highways or erecting skyscrapers;...   Read More

  • The UK’s National Wealth Fund: A Guiding Beacon or a Lost Mirage? Strengthening Governance to Empower the UK’s Future

    Opinion: UdaiBir Das. The UK’s newly minted National Wealth Fund (NWF) stands not merely as a state-owned financial entity but as a beacon of hope amidst climate challenges. Its mission: To secure a lasting reservoir of funding for climate resilience and sustainable economic growth. Much like a lighthouse, this state-owned investment fund promises to inspire...   Read More