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3548 items in total found

Working Papers | 1985

The Defective Coin Problem: An Algorithmic Analysis

Ankolekar Suresh, Das Gupta A, and Srinivasan G

The defective coin problem involves identification of defective coin, if any, and ascertain the nature of the defect (heavier/lighter) from a set of coins containing at the most one defective coin, using an equal-arm pan-balance. The solution strategy to minimise number of weightings required to detect the defective coin is based on problem reduction approach involving successive decomposition of the problem into subproblems until it is trivially solved. One of the two types of subproblems is visualised as combination of pair of antithetic problems, leading to an optimal solution procedures which is simply a term by term merger of corresponding antithetic procedures. Also, the algorithm is capable of generating all possible optimal solutions.

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Working Papers | 1985

A Mixed Integer Linear Programming Model for Selection of Energy Systems and Allocation of Energy to Multiple End-Uses

P. R. Shukla and Moulik T K

This paper presents a Mixed Integer Linear Programming model for selection of energy system and allocation of energy that satisfies energy needs of multiple end-uses at a location and minimizes the sum of annual fixed and variable costs. The energy generation and distribution is modelled as two stages of energy transfer, i.e., the energy generated at first stage energy systems is distributed sometimes via second stage energy systems to the ultimate end-uses. The model includes several time periods during a year to realistically accommodate different efficiencies of energy systems and varying energy demand during different periods of a year. Application of the model to four villages is discussed. Sensitivity analysis is presented indicating the sensitive areas which need attention of developmental agencies and which can contribute towards reducing the energy costs and encourage utilization of local energy resources.

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Working Papers | 1985

Policy Issues for Long Term Growth of Fertilizer Use in Bangladesh

Desai G M

This paper discusses policy issues relevant to sustained rapid growth in Bangaladesh's fertilizer consumption. Section II is an overview of fertilizer consumption as it has evolved over the years. It also provides comparative perspective on the performance of Bangaladesh among developing countries. Section III discusses policy requireemnets of long-term rapid growth in fertilizer use, keeping in mind various features of, and major forces behind, the past growth. The paper concludes that, notwithstanding the policy of phasing out fertilizer subsidies adopted by the government, there is a substantial scope for growth in fertilizer use. Utilization of this scope, however, requires a new policy orientation. The emphasis on prices needs to be replaced by concentration on the productivity and efficiency of fertilizer use as key target variables in policies to raise farmers' returns on fertilizers. Different factors affecting growth in fertilizer use need to be viewed not in isolation from each other, but as a set of interacting variables which can be manipulated through policy interventions. The dominant aim of these interventions should be faster development and well-coordinated working of systems which influence the rate of growth in fertilizer use.

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Working Papers | 1985

Experience with Case Method in Short Duration Executive Development Programmes

M. R. Dixit and A. K. Jain

Short Duration Executive Development Programme (SEDPs) bear certain characteristics that pose significant problems to instructors and coordinators in the effective use of case method in achieving the learning objectives of these programmes. This paper identifies and analyses such problems and discusses the approaches for handling these contingencies effectively. This has been done on the basis of the authors and their colleagues experiences over a decade. The special characteristics of SEDPs include lack of flexibility in the time table, heterogeneity in background, experience and expectations, lower stakes of the participants in the programme and significant stakes of the faculty in the programme. The contingencies discussed have been grouped into the first day, problems, issues incase discussion, classroom behaviour and breakdown and terminal frustration. It is argued in the paper that certain compromises in the non-directed case discussion method would lead to significant improvement in participants learning in SEDPs. The paper provides useful suggestions to instructors and coordinators not only for better in class handling of contingencies but also for better academic planning of SEDPs.

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Working Papers | 1985

The School Incentives Program: A Case Study of Ambakach Primary School, Limkheda Taluka, Gujarat

Pandya Mamta and Rao Arunashree P

The paper takes up a case study of a primary school in one of the tribal villages of Panchmahals district, Gujarat. The objective was to study whether the special incentives for primary education given to certain selected villages in backward areas, have had any impact on increasing enrolment and retention of students in standards I to IV. The study presents a brief background to the introduction of the incentives programme, a profile of the village and some of the pupils and the teachers of the school. It puts forward data regarding the distribution pattern of the different kinds of incentives and the beneficiaries and the impact of the same on standard and sex-wise enrolment and attendance from the time of introduction of the incentive programme.

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Working Papers | 1985

Cooperation in Cooperatives: Contribution of Risk, Resources and Skills

Anil K. Gupta

The question most basic to any discussion on cooperatives is: why is it, that elites in most cooperatives neglect the task of fostering cooperation amongst different classes of poolers of resources and instead, concentrate only on cooperation between enterprise and (some) members? It is assumed that the later can substitute the former. Decrying the tendency for verification in social science literature, we argue for more pointed analysis and communication in issues involving value positions of the analysts. Finally three parameters vi: Risk, resources and skills are used to provide a framework for appraising the utility of any value adding enterprise for the socially disadvantaged.

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Working Papers | 1985

Socio-Ecology of Stress: Why do CPR Management Projects Fail?

Anil K. Gupta

In a stratefied rural society, different classes of landless pastoralists or cultivator cum pastoralists are expected to have varying stakes in the protection of environment. 'Assurance' mechanism suggested by Sen and Rauge has been used to understand the institutional arrangement required to coordinate varying expectation of behaviour by different classes in supply of restraint in resource use. However, our contention is that time horizon in which various classes may appraise different resource use options for common vis-a-vis private lands would vary not merely because of differential vulnerability to environmental risks but also because of accumulated deficits or surplus in household budgets, mobility patterns, simultaneous operations in factor and product markets etc. Given those differences thus, the ration of insurance that different classes seek about risks in future supply of common resources augmented through present restraint may also vary. Implication being that institutions providing varying assurances to different classes coupled with differential premia obligations do not emerge or get innovated through changes in the factor prices alone. Central question thus is to find out how such assurance was provided in some of the traditional societies in past and why modern projects in this regard fail to provide it now. Paper provides illustration of a sheep and pasture development cooperative to suggest some policy alternatives.

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Working Papers | 1985

On Organizing Euiqty: Are Solutions Really the Problem?

Anil K. Gupta

Ensuring a fair distribution of public resources has remained a concern of planners and socially conscious academists for a long time. The limitation of market forces in catering to such needs of people which at current level of deprivation and scale cannot become 'reasonable' demand is well recognized. However the obstacles which come in the way of organizing equity are not only the social structure, bureaucratic inertia and political will. The explicit and implicit assumptions behind various dominant paradigm legitimized attempts of state to organize equity. The paper presents an alternative socio-ecological paradigm for public policy analysis and provides illustration of author's own encounters with planners of various levels. The difference between 'feasible politics' and 'politics of making alternatives feasible' is also attempted to be resolved with the help of this framework.

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Working Papers | 1985

Managing Common Properties: Some Issues in Institutional Design

Anil K. Gupta

Designing institutions that coordinate expectations of different classes of rural producers in a manner in which income disparities are reduced; common property is better managed and in fact rejuvenated (if possible); and redundancy for coping with uncertain contingencies are continually created; is indeed a tremendous challenge. Three major issues are discussed here. The concept of scarcity and its consequent effects in different classes are presented to answer the question: Who should bear what part of the loss for how long when supply of a basic resource is reduced. The unfortunate aspect of institutional innovations triggered by market forces is that they pass on the greatest part of burden on those who have least capacity of shoulder. Second issue of redundancy in rule making is presented to highlight the need for building capacity in institution to deal with unanticipated range of contingencies. The traditional moral values, it is argued serve as redundant means of guidance in various social actions, including resource management. Finally, the role of state in providing assurance to different classes of resource users is discussed to question the merit of policy of privatization supported by the aid agencies and host countries. It is hoped that paper provides framework for designing institutions that can deal with the complexity of resources use under degraded environments.

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Working Papers | 1985

Policies for Rapid Growth in Use of Modern Agriculture Inputs: The Case of Fertilizers

Desai G M

Accelerated growth in agricultural production of developing countries depends on fuller exploitation of the existing production potential and continuously raising the potential through technological changes. This requires sustained rapid growth in the use of inputs like seeds of better quality, fertilizers, pesticides, and farm implements and machinery. In discussions on how to increase the use of these inputs, price policy issues dominate. Often these issues are discussed without sufficient attention to certain non-price factors and policies which also influence growth in the use of inputs. This paper demonstrates that such an approach is lop-sided, and could be misleading in examining the role and limitations of price policy in growth of use of modern agricultural inputs in developing countries. After briefly reviewing past growth of fertilizer use in developing countries, the paper presents a heuristic framework which brings out the policy requirements for rapid growth of fertilizer use. The usefulness of such a framework is demonstrated by focusing on the experience of India. Major conclusions of the paper which highlight the role and limitations of price policy in growth of fertilizer use in the developing world are brought together in the last section.

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