Articles by Amarendra Das

Odisha's industry sector began a phase of high growth in 2002-03. It contributed just 24% to the gross state domestic product in 1980-81, but 38% in 2007-08, before declining to 33% in 2012-13. This paper points out that organised manufacturing, especially in basic metal and alloys, has been the driver of growth in the last decade. The average productivity of labour in organised manufacturing increased during 1981-90, peaked in 1989-90, declined in 1991-2002, and has been rising again from 2002-03. Labour productivity has grown the most in basic metal and alloys, and capital accumulation in paper and paper products. Capital productivity shows a negative trend overall. Total factor productivity fell in manufacturing as a whole and three major sub-sectors, barring basic metal and alloys, and chemical and chemical products.

This article critically appraises the incumbent regulatory mechanism in minerals and proposes a redrawal of the authority of central and state governments. It argues that for ensuring intra-generational and inter-generational equity the ownership rights over minerals should be vested with the state governments and the regulatory power with the central government. State governments should be provided with adequate elbowroom to mobilise revenue for the development of local communities in mining areas. Therefore, the present system of uniform royalty rates determined by the central government should be removed and states should be free to determine their royalty rates and other levies.

Five years after the launch of Sarva Siksha Abhiyan, it is time to make a realistic assessment of its achievements. Official statistics reveal a promising reduction in dropout rates especially for girls; however, the quality of infrastructure and teaching standards in government schools leaves much to be desired.