Articles by C H Hanumantha Rao

The objective of economic planning in India and China, which started in both countries in the early 1950s, has been to step up economic growth and achieve equitable distribution of the benefits from growth. This article attempts to understand the experience of the two countries in achieving equitable growth under contrasting sociopolitical systems during their plan periods spanning over half a century.

Budgetary Surpluses of Telengana C H Hanumantha Rao The purpose of this paper is not so much to give a precise estimate of Telengana surpluses as to attempt a clarification of some of the main issues relevant to this problem and to suggest a procedure foi estimating the surpluses.

India can learn a great deal from China in the matter of decentralisation to the local level institutions. The decision-making, implementation process, flow of foreign direct investment into rural enterprises and joint ventures with foreign enterprises in China are commendable. Hence, there is a need to promote exchange of visits and collaboration between India and China for mutual advantage.

Agriculture can be expected to derive the full benefits of the macroeconomic reforms introduced so far only when reforms directly affecting agriculture are put in place. Indeed, the slowing down of agricultural growth in the post-reform period, despite the favourable macroeconomic environment, is explained by the neglect of reforms directly affecting agriculture. This essay seeks to spell out a reform agenda for agriculture within the framework of a two-pronged strategy: (a) to release the initiative and enterprise of farmers and the private sector in general by removing restrictions on agricultural trade, processing, etc; and (b) to facilitate adequate supply response to the incentives so created by strengthening infrastructure, agricultural research and extension and delivery of credit, while protecting the environment.

The experience of the 1990s clearly demonstrates that far from trade liberalisation dampening the performance of agriculture, the lack of public investment and effort has been responsible for failure to benefit from trade liberalisation by stepping up and diversifying agricultural output in a cost-effective way.