Artha Vijnana: Journal of The Gokhale Institute of Politics and Economics

V. S. Chitre ¹, S. Mulay ¹, R. Nagarajan ¹, Usha Ram ¹, A. M. Pisal ¹

Affiliations
1 Gokhale Institute of Politics and Economics, Pune, IN

Abstract

The present study is the outcome of a team research undertaken at the Population Research Centre of the Gokhale institute of Politics and Economics. The study tries to calculate the cost of providing hospital services on a per capita basis spread over seven districts of Maharashtra in the year 1999-2000. Average cost is calculated separately for each of the components like fixed and variable cost. An inter-districts comparison is also attempted to show the spatial difference in cost associated with hospital services. Lastly it argues the case of increasing efficiency in two ways: (i) by increasing the entitlements to health care and (ii) by lowering the costs.

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R. Nagarajan ¹, S. Mulay ¹

Affiliations
1 Population Research Centre, Gokhale Institute of Politics and Economics, Pune 411004, IN

Abstract

The child sex ratio (f/m) in Maharashtra has declined by 33 points from 946 in 1991 to 913 in 2001. The present study tries to understand the possible role of Ultrasound Sonography Centres in this context. The study uses data on child sex ratio from Census of India 2001 and the data on district-wise Ultrasound Sonography Centres from the State Family Welfare Bureau, Government of Maharashtra. It is observed that the sonography centres in Maharashtra are unevenly distributed across 35 districts. Correlation and regression analyses at the district level confirm a significant negative association/relationship between the availability of sonography facilities and child sex ratio in Maharashtra. The results, of course, indicate that there is a need to regulate the proliferation and functioning of sonography centres.

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R. Nagarajan ¹, Sanjeevanee Mulay ¹

Affiliations
1 Population Research Centre, Gokhale Institute of Politics and Economics, Pune 411 004, IN

Abstract

Maharashtra is one of the advanced states in the country in terms of income, industry, urbanisation, female literacy, infant survival, primary health infrastructure and family planning acceptance. But none of these advantages have helped the state to achieve the desired demographic transition: the state continues to have a relatively high fertility compared to southern states despite its advantages over many decades. The experience of Maharashtra reveals that economic development alone is not sufficient to achieve the lower population growth rate. The objectives of the paper are: (i) to analyse the regional differentials in population and other related development indicators within Maharashtra; (ii) to find out the extent of regional disparity in Maharashtra in comparison with some of the other states which have made considerable progress towards the population stabilisation in recent years and (iii) to assess the role of regional disparities in development on fertility transition in Maharashtra. The data for the study were mainly drawn from Census 2001; Rapid Household Survey on Reproductive and Child Health (RCH-RHS) and National Family Health Survey (NFHS-1&2). The analysis exhibits the striking regional differences in demographic parameters in Maharashtra. Analysis also shows that not only the regional disparities are higher in Maharashtra it is also higher compared to the other states, which have made considerable progress towards demographic transition.

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R. Nagarajan ¹

Affiliations
1 Gokhale Institute of Politics and Economics, Pune 411 004, IN

Abstract

The recent availability of empirical evidence gathered from a number of demographic surveys in agrarian societies has led to a debate on the nature and extent of relationship between landholding and fertility. The discussions have yielded plausible ways in which access to land influences fertility behaviour. The main focus of this paper is on an examination of theories relating to the landfertility relationship and a review of empirical studies on the topic. The results of the empirical studies are presented in a labular form. The available evidence at the micro and macro levels confirms the existence of a positive relationship between land and fertility. The theoretical arguments an the relationship are reviewed and the suggested land-fertility linkages then examined in the light of the available evidence. Finally, prospects far further research are discussed.

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