Bibek Debroy
The writer is chairman, Economic Advisory Council to the PM. Views are personal.
Articles By Bibek Debroy
On writing: The fountain-pen has survived time, trade and technology
Many people will probably give up writing by hand and either type, or dictate to their favourite form of technology. However, for those limited few who still prefer to write by hand, I am happy the fountain-pen still survives. I don’t mean the high-end pens alone, there are several brands that are relatively cheap.
The middle income illusion
There is no economic evidence to support the notion of middle-income trap.
Why are there so many plumbers from Kendrapara?
The Kendrapara model worked as it provided access to placement networks, even though those were informal. Formal training institutes are now challenging such on-the-job teaching avenues.
Kings and moustaches
Is there a correlation between popularity of Chulbul Pandey or ‘Singham’ and absence, or presence, of moustache allowances in states?
Instead of disrupting Indian Standard Time, Northeast can tweak its office hours
What is sacrosanct about the office timing of 9 am to 5.30 pm? Without disrupting the IST, surely it is possible to have working hours, and office-hours in the Northeast from 8 am to 4.30 pm?
Begging the question
Defining and counting beggars, vagrants and religious mendicants remains a conundrum
Middle class, redefined
It needs an enabling ecosystem. The present regime has attempted to provide just that.
Swachh Bharat has initiated a behavioural change that seems irreversible
Latest data shows that the Swachh Bharat Mission has initiated a behavioural change in most parts of the country. It seems irreversible.
Upside Of Scaling Down
India must offer unique services, not just depend on low-cost production
The purpose of a public library
Archaic laws, more recent state legislation do not address the most important issue: What should their role be?
Perjury upon the soul
Many give false evidence under oath, but complex laws and reluctance to initiate proceedings make prosecution a rarity.
A law of its time
When it was enacted, Section 377 was lenient compared to its predecessors
To bee or not to bee
There is little data in India on the number of bee colonies and bee-keepers, or the honey produced.
Pets and peeves
Bengaluru municipality’s new pet licensing laws are beset by the familiar failing of public policy — confusion and multiplicity of objectives
A justice more efficient
The Legal Information Management and Briefing System aims to improve Union government’s handling of cases. Its data can also be used to reduce litigation, declog the judicial system.
Eighteen to sixty-four
Eighteen to sixty-four should be the age range of the working population factored into policy, since enrolment in senior secondary school is rising.
The anatomy of equity
Debate around terms of reference of the 15th Finance Commission ignores the evolution of constitutional mechanisms for devolution of public finance.
The Great Indian Epic Trick
It is meaningless to seek clear and present evil in the Mahabharata, where every incident offers a conflict of dharma. There is no black or white
Much ado about an impractical idea
Attempts to legislate schemes akin to Universal Basic Income failed in 18th and 19th century England. In China, too, they haven’t succeeded.
Diamonds aren’t forever
The price of the precious stone has little connection to its use value or marginal utility.
