Large gaps exist in life insurance coverage in India. The paper examines this issue through a supply-side lens by examining the two key features—the distinction between the agent and the broker model and the alignment of incentive structures with product life-cycle servicing. Regulations rely on disclosures to clarify the agent–broker distinction to customers, but conflicts of interest may prevent intermediaries from making these disclosures. Without such transparency, commission-driven sales can result in mis-selling, irrespective of the intermediary being a broker or an agent. The Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India has sought to address the issue of mis-selling through the product disclosure and suitability guidelines. However, these measures are inadequate and might not be effective.
Large gaps exist in life insurance coverage in India. The paper examines this issue through a supply-side lens by examining the two key features—the distinction between the agent and the broker model and the alignment of incentive structures with product life-cycle servicing. Regulations rely on disclosures to clarify the agent–broker distinction to customers, but conflicts of interest may prevent intermediaries from making these disclosures. Without such transparency, commission-driven sales can result in mis-selling, irrespective of the intermediary being a broker or an agent. The Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India has sought to address the issue of mis-selling through the product disclosure and suitability guidelines. However, these measures are inadequate and might not be effective.
In the last few years, private equity investment in non-banking financial companies has increased considerably. Analysing the investment and deal patterns for the investments made between 1999 and 2020, it is evident that most of the target companies are unlisted and most of the investments are un-exited. Foreign private equity investors largely dominate in the Indian NBFC space. The typical private equity behaviour to buy assets at distress prices, working to drive their value up before exiting, is a serious risk, and the large private equity money flowing into the NBFC sector has the potential to cause damage to the financial system, and therefore requires strict regulation.
In the last few years, private equity investment in non-banking financial companies has increased considerably. Analysing the investment and deal patterns for the investments made between 1999 and 2020, it is evident that most of the target companies are unlisted and most of the investments are un-exited. Foreign private equity investors largely dominate in the Indian NBFC space. The typical private equity behaviour to buy assets at distress prices, working to drive their value up before exiting, is a serious risk, and the large private equity money flowing into the NBFC sector has the potential to cause damage to the financial system, and therefore requires strict regulation.
One crucial factor among many that led to the victory of Trinmool Congress in the West Bengal elections in 2011 was the violence associated with land acquisitions in the period when the Left Front was in power. An attempt is made to see if any lessons were learnt out of the Nandigram–Singur episodes. A case study of land acquisition in the Bhangar area of West Bengal is presented by putting forth the entire story of what happened from January 2013 to March 2020. The intersecting dynamics of local politics, local land mafia, the rents arising out of land acquisitions, and the state-level politics are also analysed. It is found that the villagers are willing to sell their land if they get a “proper” compensation. It is hypothesised that possibly a “learning state” is evolving in West Bengal, which could aid its industrialisation.
The history of “1932 Khatiyan” and the debate about “Who can be a local resident in Jharkhand?” is traced. In answering this question, several terms are used that unfold historical and contemporary development paradigms, in-migration flows and the process of industrialisation, and political economy, employment and electoral politics in Jharkhand. The article also argues that it is problematic to think in terms of binaries, when considering sthaniyata, such as Adivasis versus Dikus, original settlers versus more recent in-migrants, and cities built by industries versus Fifth Schedule Areas and legal safeguards.
The history of “1932 Khatiyan” and the debate about “Who can be a local resident in Jharkhand?” is traced. In answering this question, several terms are used that unfold historical and contemporary development paradigms, in-migration flows and the process of industrialisation, and political economy, employment and electoral politics in Jharkhand. The article also argues that it is problematic to think in terms of binaries, when considering sthaniyata, such as Adivasis versus Dikus, original settlers versus more recent in-migrants, and cities built by industries versus Fifth Schedule Areas and legal safeguards.
The history of “1932 Khatiyan” and the debate about “Who can be a local resident in Jharkhand?” is traced. In answering this question, several terms are used that unfold historical and contemporary development paradigms, in-migration flows and the process of industrialisation, and political economy, employment and electoral politics in Jharkhand. The article also argues that it is problematic to think in terms of binaries, when considering sthaniyata, such as Adivasis versus Dikus, original settlers versus more recent in-migrants, and cities built by industries versus Fifth Schedule Areas and legal safeguards.
The history of “1932 Khatiyan” and the debate about “Who can be a local resident in Jharkhand?” is traced. In answering this question, several terms are used that unfold historical and contemporary development paradigms, in-migration flows and the process of industrialisation, and political economy, employment and electoral politics in Jharkhand. The article also argues that it is problematic to think in terms of binaries, when considering sthaniyata, such as Adivasis versus Dikus, original settlers versus more recent in-migrants, and cities built by industries versus Fifth Schedule Areas and legal safeguards.
The history of “1932 Khatiyan” and the debate about “Who can be a local resident in Jharkhand?” is traced. In answering this question, several terms are used that unfold historical and contemporary development paradigms, in-migration flows and the process of industrialisation, and political economy, employment and electoral politics in Jharkhand. The article also argues that it is problematic to think in terms of binaries, when considering sthaniyata, such as Adivasis versus Dikus, original settlers versus more recent in-migrants, and cities built by industries versus Fifth Schedule Areas and legal safeguards.
Development, Neoliberalism, and Islamism in South Asia: The Case of Bangladesh by Mustahid M Husain, Cham, Switzerland: Palgrave Macmillan, 2022; pp xvii + 146, ¤117.69 (eBook).
Hungry Translations: Relearning the World through Radical Vulnerability by Richa Nagar, Urbana, Chicago, Springfield: University of Illinois Press, 2019; pp 299, $28.
The comprehensive environmental pollution index has been applied to identify and monitor industrially polluted clusters in India. In the calculation of the CEPI, there is a health parameter (Component C), which uses local health-related data. The article draws attention to the gaps in the design and guidelines to calculate Component C.
India has turned a net toy exporter lately—claimed as an evidence of the success of “Make in India” and related promotional policies. Analysing a unique, unit-level data set of formal and informal manufacturing and trade since 2000, the offi cial claims and policy outcomes are assessed.
India has turned a net toy exporter lately—claimed as an evidence of the success of “Make in India” and related promotional policies. Analysing a unique, unit-level data set of formal and informal manufacturing and trade since 2000, the offi cial claims and policy outcomes are assessed.
