The IUP Journal of Governance and Public Policy, 2011
The 73rd Constitutional Amendment Act has entrusted Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs) (Third Tie... more The 73rd Constitutional Amendment Act has entrusted Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs) (Third Tier) with a wide range of responsibilities. Discharging these responsibilities requires an adequate tax administration. But even prior to this amendment, tax administration of the panchayat bodies were not strong enough to implement the functions they were expected to perform. They are heavily dependent on the grants from Central Government (First Tier) and State Governments (Second Tier). The taxation powers given to PRIs are wide, but doubts have been raised whether they can fully utilise these powers in an effective manner. Panchayats at all the three levels are found to be reluctant to impose taxes due to various reasons. This paper makes an attempt to review the lacunae in the existing tax administration system of collection of revenues by PRIs in West Bengal and suggests measures to rectify the loopholes. Further, it focuses on some problems in tax administration and also examines whether the PRIs at Gram Panchayat (GP) level are able to fully exploit the sources assigned to them or do they face any constraints towards fuller utilisation of present sources of revenue. This analysis mostly deals with the lowest tier of the PRIs, viz., the Gram Panchayats.
The present paper seeks to examine inter-district disparities in rural agricultural sector in Wes... more The present paper seeks to examine inter-district disparities in rural agricultural sector in West Bengal and its impact on agricultural development through a (cross-sectional study) inter-temporal analysis of 18 districts. Composite indices of rural economic have been prepared for selected 10 indicators, in the period of time 1980-81, 1990-91 and 2000-01. The technique of Principal Component Analysis (PCA), Rotate Factor Matrix (Kaiser Varimax Method) has been used to prepare the composite index of agricultural development and dimension index of agricultural development. The analysis reveals that extreme disparities continue to persist with respect to the availability of economic indicators in rural areas at the district level. The ranking pattern of districts in terms of development of rural infrastructure has also remained broadly unchanged. Similarly, a strong correlation between ranks of districts in economic infrastructure has been observed. Agricultural economic infrastructur...
Artha Vijnana: Journal of The Gokhale Institute of Politics and Economics
The study makes an attempt to examine the inter-district disparities in social sector and their i... more The study makes an attempt to examine the inter-district disparities in social sector and their impact on social development through cross-sectional data and inter-temporal analysis of 18 districts in West Bengal. Social sector development is directly related to broader enhancement of human well-being and quality of life. This includes not only an adequate level of consumption of food and other consumer goods but also access to basic social services, especially education, health, drinking water facilities and basic sanitation. The study reveals that two dimensions come out to be meaningful, namely, quantitative and qualitative dimensional development. The study finds that there are sharp disparities among the districts in the State of West Bengal.
The 73rd Constitutional Amendment Act has entrusted Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs) (Third Tie... more The 73rd Constitutional Amendment Act has entrusted Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs) (Third Tier) with a wide range of responsibilities. Discharging these responsibilities requires an adequate tax administration. But even prior to this amendment, tax administration of the panchayat bodies were not strong enough to implement the functions they were expected to perform. They are heavily dependent on the grants from Central Government (First Tier) and State Governments (Second Tier). The taxation powers given to PRIs are wide, but doubts have been raised whether they can fully utilise these powers in an effective manner. Panchayats at all the three levels are found to be reluctant to impose taxes due to various reasons. This paper makes an attempt to review the lacunae in the existing tax administration system of collection of revenues by PRIs in West Bengal and suggests measures to rectify the loopholes. Further, it focuses on some problems in tax administration and also examines whether the PRIs at Gram Panchayat (GP) level are able to fully exploit the sources assigned to them or do they face any constraints towards fuller utilisation of present sources of revenue. This analysis mostly deals with the lowest tier of the PRIs, viz., the Gram Panchayats.
The role of infrastructure in fostering economic growth and enhancing public welfare is more pron... more The role of infrastructure in fostering economic growth and enhancing public welfare is more pronounced in developing economies like India. At the time of our independence, the national government was unanimous in accepting that a much wider base of infrastructure was the sine qua non of economic development of this country. It has been observed that there exists considerable regional disparity in infrastructural facilities in West Bengal, especially within the districts. It is also noted that the relative hierarchy has remained quite sticky over time. Thus, the situation is far from comfortable and this issue is to be taken up seriously to keep our economy on track. In the present paper, an attempt has been made to make a detailed district-level analysis. Some statistical techniques like ranking, coefficient of variation, Principal Component Analysis/Factor Analysis and Rotated Factor Matrix (Kaiser Varimax Method), etc., have been used to show inter-district disparities in infrastructural development. The study finds that there are sharp disparities among the districts in the state of West Bengal. Conclusions and policy prescriptions have been made at the end of the paper for reduction of inter-district disparity in infrastructural development.
The IUP Journal of Governance and Public Policy, 2011
The 73rd Constitutional Amendment Act has entrusted Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs) (Third Tie... more The 73rd Constitutional Amendment Act has entrusted Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs) (Third Tier) with a wide range of responsibilities. Discharging these responsibilities requires an adequate tax administration. But even prior to this amendment, tax administration of the panchayat bodies were not strong enough to implement the functions they were expected to perform. They are heavily dependent on the grants from Central Government (First Tier) and State Governments (Second Tier). The taxation powers given to PRIs are wide, but doubts have been raised whether they can fully utilise these powers in an effective manner. Panchayats at all the three levels are found to be reluctant to impose taxes due to various reasons. This paper makes an attempt to review the lacunae in the existing tax administration system of collection of revenues by PRIs in West Bengal and suggests measures to rectify the loopholes. Further, it focuses on some problems in tax administration and also examines whether the PRIs at Gram Panchayat (GP) level are able to fully exploit the sources assigned to them or do they face any constraints towards fuller utilisation of present sources of revenue. This analysis mostly deals with the lowest tier of the PRIs, viz., the Gram Panchayats.
The present paper seeks to examine inter-district disparities in rural agricultural sector in Wes... more The present paper seeks to examine inter-district disparities in rural agricultural sector in West Bengal and its impact on agricultural development through a (cross-sectional study) inter-temporal analysis of 18 districts. Composite indices of rural economic have been prepared for selected 10 indicators, in the period of time 1980-81, 1990-91 and 2000-01. The technique of Principal Component Analysis (PCA), Rotate Factor Matrix (Kaiser Varimax Method) has been used to prepare the composite index of agricultural development and dimension index of agricultural development. The analysis reveals that extreme disparities continue to persist with respect to the availability of economic indicators in rural areas at the district level. The ranking pattern of districts in terms of development of rural infrastructure has also remained broadly unchanged. Similarly, a strong correlation between ranks of districts in economic infrastructure has been observed. Agricultural economic infrastructur...
Artha Vijnana: Journal of The Gokhale Institute of Politics and Economics
The study makes an attempt to examine the inter-district disparities in social sector and their i... more The study makes an attempt to examine the inter-district disparities in social sector and their impact on social development through cross-sectional data and inter-temporal analysis of 18 districts in West Bengal. Social sector development is directly related to broader enhancement of human well-being and quality of life. This includes not only an adequate level of consumption of food and other consumer goods but also access to basic social services, especially education, health, drinking water facilities and basic sanitation. The study reveals that two dimensions come out to be meaningful, namely, quantitative and qualitative dimensional development. The study finds that there are sharp disparities among the districts in the State of West Bengal.
The 73rd Constitutional Amendment Act has entrusted Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs) (Third Tie... more The 73rd Constitutional Amendment Act has entrusted Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs) (Third Tier) with a wide range of responsibilities. Discharging these responsibilities requires an adequate tax administration. But even prior to this amendment, tax administration of the panchayat bodies were not strong enough to implement the functions they were expected to perform. They are heavily dependent on the grants from Central Government (First Tier) and State Governments (Second Tier). The taxation powers given to PRIs are wide, but doubts have been raised whether they can fully utilise these powers in an effective manner. Panchayats at all the three levels are found to be reluctant to impose taxes due to various reasons. This paper makes an attempt to review the lacunae in the existing tax administration system of collection of revenues by PRIs in West Bengal and suggests measures to rectify the loopholes. Further, it focuses on some problems in tax administration and also examines whether the PRIs at Gram Panchayat (GP) level are able to fully exploit the sources assigned to them or do they face any constraints towards fuller utilisation of present sources of revenue. This analysis mostly deals with the lowest tier of the PRIs, viz., the Gram Panchayats.
The role of infrastructure in fostering economic growth and enhancing public welfare is more pron... more The role of infrastructure in fostering economic growth and enhancing public welfare is more pronounced in developing economies like India. At the time of our independence, the national government was unanimous in accepting that a much wider base of infrastructure was the sine qua non of economic development of this country. It has been observed that there exists considerable regional disparity in infrastructural facilities in West Bengal, especially within the districts. It is also noted that the relative hierarchy has remained quite sticky over time. Thus, the situation is far from comfortable and this issue is to be taken up seriously to keep our economy on track. In the present paper, an attempt has been made to make a detailed district-level analysis. Some statistical techniques like ranking, coefficient of variation, Principal Component Analysis/Factor Analysis and Rotated Factor Matrix (Kaiser Varimax Method), etc., have been used to show inter-district disparities in infrastructural development. The study finds that there are sharp disparities among the districts in the state of West Bengal. Conclusions and policy prescriptions have been made at the end of the paper for reduction of inter-district disparity in infrastructural development.
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