One of the greatest dangers to the growth of developing countries is the middle income trap, where crony capitalism creates oligarchies that slow down growth. If the debate during the elections is any pointer, this is a very real concern of the public in India today. To avoid this trap, and to...

This paper reviews the key aspects of general strikes and analyses the economic cost of such strikes in Nepal. Data analysis shows that average direct cost of general strikes stood at NRs. 1.8 billion per strike day and NRs. 27 billion per year at current prices during 2008-2013. [NRB Working...

India is a stable democratic political system with rising economic fortunes and global ambitions make it a potential power that could play a very important role in world affairs. But India has to tackle many issues to emerge as a global leader.

Persistence and breakdowns of democracy are the dominant features of Nepali politics.Democracy continues to be attractive amidst setbacks and discontinuity. So it remains perennially elusive, despite having undergone democratic upheavals. Some significant variables such as ideology, essence of...

This paper examines the larger issue of how a ‘free’ media performs during times of war with particular reference to US and India using case studies. It focuses on ‘national security’ becoming a major pivot around which the media discourse is shaped. How the media...

This is the 4th Chapter of the report 'Women and Men in India' by CSO. Although women constitute a little less than the half of the economically active population, but their contribution to economic activity is far below its potential. The progress toward gender equality in respect of...

Statement by Dr. Raghuram Rajan on taking office on September 4, 2013. [RBI Press release].

The Minister of Finance, K.M Mani , presented the General Budget 2013 to the State Assembly on March 15, 2013. In his address, he commented on the fiscal performance of the State in 2012-13 and laid out his budget proposals for 2013-14. This document presents a brief analysis covering important...

Budget speech by Minister of Finance. [Ministry of Finance]. URL:[http://www.finance.gov.pk/budget/budget_Speech_12_13.pdf].