Articles by H K Paranjape

It is worthwhile to examine the Ambanis' attempted take-over of Larsen & Toubro as a case study of the working of Indian state capitalism, both to understand how the system is operating and perhaps to suggest some guidelines for a more public interest-oriented policy.

Perestroika or Salaami Tactics?
H K Paranjape It is undoubtedly true that the Indian economy needs liberalisation from the vice-like grip of parasitic, 'rent' seeking politicians and bureaucrats. This paper takes a retrospective look at the development of economic policy, in particular, industrial licensing and monopolies legislation, and practise over the last two decades. This approach lays bare the superficial character of the liberalisation process so far, which is being implemented in small doses. At most this may lead to a minor redistribution of power and incomes between the politicians/bureaucrats on the one side and the traders/industrialists/big farmers on the other.

State of the Union: Retrospect and Prospect H K Paranjape THE country is now clearly in bad shape. Leaving aside shortsighted politicians with their fatuous talk of the 21st century, and their coteries and camp followers, discerning observers and students are genuinely worried about the persistent deterioration in the country's situation. Forty years after Independence, destitution and poverty continue to stalk over one-third of our people. With all the glitter of superficial modernity, superstition, ignorance and even illiteracy continue to prevail among large masses in the country. In spite of the large scale expansion of security forces and expenditure on them, the break-down of law and order is becoming common in many parts of the country and a situation of semi-anarchy prevails in some. Insurgency, which was earlier confined to certain north-eastern regions has now taken hold of a major state like the Punjab, and there appears to be no leadership in the country capable of checking the forces of disintegration enveloping such areas. The break-out of violent outbursts on one ground or the other, in one part of the country or another, has become a common occurrence. Low productivity, inefficiency, and corruption have become the norms in large parts of our organised industry and services. Public morality is at a low ebb, and this is increasingly and cynically accepted by most of us. In spite Of India having one of the largest standing armies, and with a very large and growing defence expenditure, India is not able to ensure that even its small neighbours like Sri Lanka, Nepal, or Bangladesh in reality defer to her in essential interests. While formally much respect is shown to India and her leadership

Tariff-Making on the Indian Railways A Case Study H K Paranjape The Rail Tariff Enquiry Committee, appointed in 1977, represented the first systematic attempt to examine the entire rail tariff structure. In the context of the railway's role in the economy, the Committee was required to examine a number of questions which have relevance to the general problem of public sector utility pricing in a developing economy. The case study presented here discusses the major issues faced by the Committee and the government's reaction to its recommendations in terms of actual tariff proposals. The study concludes with an analysis of the reasons underlying the government's operational approach, and suggests some ways by which the cross pressures hindering the implementation of an integrated approach to rail tariffs might be better withstood.

The MRTP Amendment Bill A Trojan Horse H K Paranjape While control of monopolies as well as monopolistic and unfair practices is obviously necessary, the powers for this purpose need to be conferred on a quasi-judicial body which is as independent and autonomous as possible.