Anveshana: search for Knowledge

Nasruddin ¹, A. K. Singh ²

Affiliations
1 RCUES, Lucknow, IN
2 Lucknow, IN

Abstract

Gender budgeting has been internationally recognized as a key tool for empowering women by incorporating gender perspective and concerns at all levels and stages of development planning, policy, programmes and delivery mechanism. Government of India has adopted budgeting for gender equity as a mission statement and is widely disseminating tools and strategies across ministries and departments. The importance of gender budgeting has been stressed time and again in different forums. Gender Budgeting refers to a method of looking at the budget formulation process, budgetary policies and budget outlays from the gender lens. In 1984, Austria introduced the first gender budget. Taking budgets as essential instruments for promoting gender equality, pioneering analysis of the impact of public budgets on gender relations was carried out. Since then, more than 90 countries have adopted gender budgeting as a tool for women empowerment and engendering development. In India too, many states, local governments, corporate houses and private agencies have initiated gender budgeting and have introduced specific policies, programmes and schemes for gender mainstreaming. Gender perspective in urban governance in India was initiated in 1992 when 74^th Constitutional Amendment Act made provision for one third reservation in the seats of municipal elections which was extended up to 50 percent in some of the states. International agencies such as World Bank, ADB and DFID also emphasized on gender mainstreaming in planning and implementation of urban development policy, programmes and schemes. Against this view point, present paper purports to examine the engendering budgeting and gender inclusive urban development in India.

Keywords

Gender Budgeting, Urban Governance, Mainstreaming, Empowerment.

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Anjuli Mishra ¹, Himanshu Chandra ¹, A. K. Singh ¹

Affiliations
1 Regional Centre for Urban and Environmental Studies, Lucknow, IN

Abstract

Urban expansion is almost always over the best agricultural land, because it is usually easy land to build on. This takes away the most suitable soils from agriculture. Urban and industrial developments sometimes compete with agriculture for scarce water resources, with agriculture generally being the loser. Felling and over-exploitation of forests for urban and industrial development destroys natural ecological balance. Intensive agriculture destroys the natural ecology by replacing diversity with mono-cultures, and by the use of pesticides and herbicides. Wetland and coastal reclamation destroys an ecology that is impossible to replace, and bring harm to the sensitive ecosystems. An urban environment is complex primarily because of rapidly changing variables such as socio-economic and demographic indicators, land-use patterns, resource demand and utilization patterns, lifestyle changes etc. In the light of climate change, a new layer of uncertainty is added in terms of changes in precipitation, temperature and occurrence of extreme events. Furthermore, there are scale mismatches; in terms of the time scales over which policymakers and urban planners operate, and scales over which projected impacts of environmental decisions, degradation, climate variability and change will manifest. Also policies and developmental initiatives in cities should enable urban systems to adjust to changes as and when they happen and accordingly respond in a way that maintains their original structure and function. It is to be noted that out of 55 cities in India having population over a million, 18 are in coastal states. Major challenge for cities in the face of rapid population growth is to maintain sustainability within the social, economic and environmental dimensions. Urban systems are at risk to different kind of hazards. Several factors contribute to the urban risk profile. Present paper purports to examine the dynamics of urban environment, sustainability and development in the context of changing global environmental changes.

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A. K. Singh ¹, G. R. Krishnamurthy ², T. Jayaprakash Rao ³

Affiliations
1 Regional Centre for Urban and Environmental Studies, Lucknow University Campus, Lucknow, IN
2 A. J. Institute of Management, Mangalore, Karnataka, IN
3 A. J. Institute of Management, Mangalore, Karnataka, IN

Abstract

Skill development has been considered as the backbone of economic development. Entrepreneurship, skill development and new venture creation has long been a driving force in commercializing new technologies and developing new markets, creating new jobs, and growing economies . It has been well established that the level of economic growth of a region, to a large extent, depends on the level of entrepreneurial and skill development activities in the region. Government of India has launched National Skill Development Mission and National Skill Development Policy. The national policy on skill development envisages to creating opportunities for all to acquire skills throughout life and specially for youth, women and disadvantaged group, promoting commitment by all stakeholders to own skill development initiatives, developing a high quality skilled workforce, entrepreneurs relevant to emerging employment market needs. The policy has widened the scope of skill training and entrepreneurship development through utilizing the existing educational infrastructure and expansion of institutions engaged in skill training and vocational education. Government of India has also introduced several schemes, programmes and projects for providing training, vocational education and entrepreneurship development to youth, women and disadvantaged groups. In view of the high national priority, several state governments have also introduced state Policy for Skill development and established State Skill Development Mission with vision and strategic plan. Against this view point, present paper purports to review the policy and gender perspective of skill development and its leverage to make in India.

Keywords

Entrepreneurship, Skill Gap, National Skill Development Corporation, Women Entrepreneurship.

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A. K. Singh ¹, Shailendra Kumar ²

Affiliations
1 Regional Centre for Urban and Environmental Studies, Lucknow, IN
2 Department of Sociology, Dr. V.S.P.S. Mahavidyalaya, Kanpur, IN

Abstract

Youth constitute about 2/5^th population of the country. Indian youth today are going through a period of uncertainty about their future leading to a sense of frustration and cynicism. Avenue for productive employment are limited and young people are getting increasingly involved in crime and other anti-social activities. It is, therefore, imperative that the agencies responsible for planning and delivering youth development programmes should address the concerns and problems of youth urgently. The forces of modernization, globalization and economic liberalization have created great opportunities for youth however; a large segment of youth is facing severe challenges in realizing the development potential and participation in development process. The National Youth Policy, 2014 has provided a plan of action which gives new direction and impetus to youth development programmes in the country. Present paper purports to examine the status, issues and challenges being faced by Indian youth.

Keywords

Youth, Liberalisation, Globalisation and Moderanisation, Youth Employment, Skill, Education, Violence.

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A. K. Singh ¹, Vidushi Rastogi ²

Affiliations
1 Regional Center for Urban and Environmental Studies, Lucknow, IN
2 Dept. of Economics, Lucknow University, Lucknow, IN

Abstract

Financial inclusion has got momentum in the recent past in India. In order to promote the accessibility and outreach of banking and financial services to the masses, banking sector reforms have been introduced by RBI besides implementing regulatory framework for financial inclusion. Financial inclusion is closely related with th inclusive growth and development as envisaged in 11 Five Year Plan. There has been remarkable progress in the direction of financial inclusion in India however; sharp variations have emerged in the accessibility and outreach of financial and banking services across the states and regions of India. A large chunk of population is still out of the gamut of financial and banking services in India and therefore there are daunting challenges to promote financial inclusion and provide banking and financial services to the unbanked population and in backward areas. Against this view point, present paper purports to examine the current status of financial inclusion and suggesting roadmap for augmenting the accessibility and outreach of banking and financial services to the masses.

Keywords

Inclusive Finance, No Frill Account, KYC, Micro Credit, SHG.

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A. K. Singh ¹

Affiliations
1 Regional Center for Urban and Environmental Studies, Lucknow University, Lucknow (Uttar Pradesh), IN

Abstract

Urban local governments are entrusted with a set of responsibilities of providing basic urban amenities and services to the people. They are dependent on states and centre for grant in aid and loans as the own resources of ULBs are grossly inadequate. There is mismatch between functions and municipal resources. The efforts for additional resource mobilization to fulfill the commitments by the ULBs are not adequate due to various factors. The ULBs are becoming dependent on transfers and fiscal devolution from central and state governments to meet out their financial requirements. Central Government has launched JNNURM and its subsidiary schemes for infrastructure development in selected cities and towns with massive financial investment. These schemes envisage strengthening of urban local bodies through introducing reforms and stepping up concrete efforts for additional resource mobilization. Thus, it is necessary to reduce dependence of local bodies on government support. They should effectively exploit the revenue potential through rationalization of assessment norms, simplification of procedures; rebate on timely payment, revision of old levies and taxes etc. Municipal governments may be allowed to enjoy fiscal autonomy with freedom of choice in regard to imposing new taxes and revising tax rates. It is argued that municipal bodies are not financially strong enough to tap capital market for undertaking infrastructure works which involve huge capital investment, long gestation period. But the provision of marketing borrowing will certainly motivate the municipal bodies to revamp their financial strength to mobilize resources from market. There is also need to encourage private sector involvement in the development, strengthening and creator of urban infrastructure. Against this backdrop , the paper purports to highlight the emerging trends in municipal finance and suggesting the measures for resource mobilization.

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A. K. Singh ¹, M. P. Singh ²

Affiliations
1 RCUES, Lucknow University Campus, Lucknow, IN
2 Shri Ram Swaroop Group of Professional Colleges, Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, IN

Abstract

Urban local governments are entrusted with a set of responsibilities of providing basic urban amenities and services to the people. They are dependent on states and centre for grant in aid and loans as the own resources of ULBs are grossly inadequate. There is mismatch between functions and municipal resources. The efforts for additional resource mobilization to fulfil the commitments by the ULBs are not adequate due to various factors. The ULBs are becoming dependent on transfers and fiscal devolution from central and state governments to meet out their financial requirements. Central Government has launched Missions and schemes for infrastructure development in selected cities and towns with massive financial investment. These schemes envisage strengthening of urban local bodies through introducing reforms and stepping up concrete efforts for additional resource mobilization. Thus, it is necessary to reduce dependence of local bodies on government support. They should effectively exploit the revenue potential through rationalization of assessment norms, simplification of procedures; rebate on timely payment, revision of old levies and taxes etc. Municipal governments may be allowed to enjoy fiscal autonomy with freedom of choice in regard to imposing new taxes and revising tax rates. It is argued that municipal bodies are not financially strong enough to tap capital market for undertaking infrastructure works which involve huge capital investment, long gestation period. But the provision of marketing borrowing will certainly motivate the municipal bodies to revamp their financial strength to mobilize resources from market. There is also need to encourage private sector involvement in the development, strengthening and creator of urban infrastructure. Against this backdrop, present paper purports to examine the emerging trends in municipal finances in Uttar Pradesh.

Keywords

Urban Local Government, Infrastructure Development, Private Sector, Municipal Income.

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A. K. Singh ¹

Affiliations
1 Regional Centre for Urban and Environmental Studies, Lucknow University, Lucknow, IN

Abstract

The external environment of business has undergone revolutionary changes which generated far-reaching impact on organizational performance and their management strategies. With globalization and liberalization of economy, issues like the changing desires and attitudes of customers, the requirement of government agencies, rapidly advancing technology, increasing cost of production, increased awareness towards environmental protection and sustainable development, rapidly changing political scenario, have emerged as issues of importance which corporate sector cannot ignore. These issues affect the organizations and management intensively. The philosophy of 'Bottom of the Pyramid' advocated by Management Guru late Prof. C.K. Prahlad gained momentum in the context of changed business environment and social responsiveness of corporate houses. Milton Friedman viewed that business should produce goods and services efficiently and leave the solution of social problems to government, concerned organizations and individuals. However, Keith Davis is of the view that there is an iron law of responsibility which states that in the long-run those who do not use power in a manner that society considers responsible will tend to lose it. Thus, it was advocated by the management experts that business organizations must devote resources to socially desirable objectives besides making profits to maintain the confidence and support of its stakeholders and creditors. CSR can generate values and create opportunities for corporate houses for enhancing their business performance and building strongly relations with the stakeholders and community. Against this backdrop, present paper purports to examine the growth and development of CSR in India.

Keywords

CSR, Public Sector, Private Sector, BSE.

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