Arvind Panagariya in his article in the ET has advocated that India should take a very hard stance at Copenhagen and refuse to accept mitigation obligations.  http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/Say-No-at-Copenhagen/articleshow/4809521.cms His point against tariffs on  countries that do not introduce caps on carbon emissions is well taken. However, by advocating an intransigence stance he is ignoring the fact that this is not a good negotiation posture. (more…)

I had gone to Jaipur for a conference on the Political Economy of Competition and Regulation in India. Well as part of my plans I also decided to meet a friend of mine from school after some 16 years. She was the hardworking studious girl who topped class and did all the “right” things, got her medicine degree both  graduate and post graduate from the best medical schools of Delhi. Standard story of how family compulsions got her to Jaipur and she thought of taking a teaching job at a private medical college. (more…)

The screening committee set up to select the next chairman of telecom sector regulator TRAI has shortlisted three candidates—finance secretary Arun Ramanathan, Consumer affairs secretary Yashwant Bhave and former BSNL director S D Saxena. Many a times it has been pointed out that the Independent Regulator’s office should not become a sinecure for retired bureaucrats and the job should be equally attractive for experts in the field. But, this development shows that these institutions, still only attract bureaucrats. What puzzles me is that why does the regulator’s office not attract non-bureaucrats? (more…)

In a bid to improve the functioning of electricity regulatory commissions (ERC), the Planning Commission has mooted an exclusive first-of-its-kind state-wise ranking system of these regulatory bodies based on their efficiency. Montek Singh endorsed this in a public meeting recently. While I have great respect for Montek but ranking of regulators will have no impact on the outcomes of the power sector. He misses the point. (more…)

A lot is being talked about capping of CEO salaries by the government. Who should decide the salary of the CEOs? (more…)