The papers will explore the evolving devolution narrative in India from two perspectives. The first paper will present findings from a detailed exploration of 19 state budgets to understand the effects of the Fourteenth Finance Commission (FFC) recommendations on resource allocation at the state level. This paper will specifically focus on implications of the FFC recommendations on social sector investments and the emerging role of the Union government in this changed scenario.
The second paper studies the decentralization narrative from the perspective of Gram Panchayats. Through a detailed exploration of the Karnataka state budget and an expenditure tracking exercise that focuses on 30 Gram Panchayats in Mulbagal Taluka, Kolar district, this study tracks trends in fiscal decentralization in the state and attempts to identify the specific quantum of monies spent in the jurisdiction of Gram Panchayats contrasted with the money that Gram Panchayats actually receive.
Dr Arvind Subramanian: Chief Economic Adviser to the Government of India.
Dr Indira Rajaraman: Retired professor of economics and member of Thirteenth Finance Commission of India.
Dr Santosh Mathew: Joint Secretary in Ministry of Rural Development
Dr Pinaki Chakraborty: Professor at National Institute of Public Finance Policy
