Articles by K Pushpangadan

Using panel data comprising firm-level information drawn from groups within manufacturing industry which have experienced the most significant tariff reduction, this study investigates the trend in productivity growth since 1988-89. The sample of 2,300 firms and 11,009 observations, spanning the period 1988-89 to 1997-98 is very likely the largest assembled for the purpose thus far. We find no evidence of acceleration in productivity growth since the onset of reforms in 1991-92. The result is evaluated in relation to the changes till date in the policy regime in the Indian economy.

Financial resource needed for sustainable rural drinking water is estimated from expenditure data for all states in India. The estimates show that user financing becomes essential for sustainability of the system. Since user financing affects weaker sections adversely, a subsidy from consumers above poverty line to those below is incorporated in the tariff design along the Faulhaberian principles. The rate so arrived at, indicates that public subsidy is still needed for some states with high cost of provision due to their hydro-geological and topographical conditions and/or cost inefficiency. Analysis of institutions based on co-operative action among users suggests that they have several advantages over the other polar alternatives, state ownership and privatisation, in providing potable water. Participatory management inherent in such institutions also enables the government to change its role from provider to facilitator.

TFPG in Manufacturing Industry P Balakrishnan K Pushpangadan IN the light of at least one [Sastry 1995] response to our original article that appeared since our last [Balakrishnan and Pushpangadan 1995] note we would first like to offer some observations on the question of the plausibility of our estimates of TFP growth in Indian manufacturing industry in recent years. Next, we reply in detail to the most recent comment of R and B Dholakia [Dholakia and Dholakia 1995] In general, our point that double deflation is superior to single deflation as a procedure to arrive at real value added appears to have been well taken. However, there appears to be an unease among some at finding the consequent estimates indicating a slower growth of value added in the 1980s since this is widely, and correctly, perceived to be a period of expansionary macroeconomic policy. However, we see no problem, whatsoever, in reconciling our results with the recent trajectory of the Indian economy. The 1980s might well have seen a faster growth of production along with a slower growth of value added. In fact, in a period of a secular decline in the price of raw materials, as occurred in the 1980s,1 this is exactly what would be the prediction when using a neo-classical production function.

Manufacturing Industry: A Fresh Look P Balakrishnan K Pushpangadan Productivity estimates are sensitive to the measure of real value added that is adopted One source of bias in estimation is that due to the assumption often made of constancy of the relative price of material inputs. This paper provides estimates of total factor productivity for Aggregate Manufacturing having adjusted for changes in this relative price. These results indicate that, contrary to what is believed, productivity growth in the 1980s may, actually, have been slower than in-the earlier decade.

B D DHAWAN (1988) commenting on our paper Agricultural Stagnation in Kerala: An Exploratory Analysis' [Kannan and Pushpangadan 1988] has questioned us on two counts. One relates to our empirical finding of no evidence of any beneficial impact of irrigation on land productivity and the other relates to our adverse remarks on major irrigation projects both on the basis of cost comparisons with minor irrigation projects as well as their non-performance.