Infrastructure and Development Interlinkage in West Bengal: A VAR Analysis

Theoretical propositions proclaim that the association between Infrastructure Availability and Development of a region is quite strong and runs from the former to the latter. Empirical studies are however, inconclusive. While few researchers have concluded that the impact of infrastructure on development levels, though positive, is not significant, equally large numbers of studies claim that infrastructure explains a substantial part of development levels. In this paper the association between infrastructural availability and development for the West Bengal economy is explored using a multidimensional approach and a time series study. It is observed that both developmental and infrastructural indices have shown a continuously rising trend during 1971-2001. The causation seems to be stronger from infrastructure to development. The long run relationships suggest strong positive impact of infrastructural availability on development levels. Different facets of infrastructure seem to have different impacts on different dimensions of development. A segmented policy aiming at specific sectors need to be adopted, with the greatest importance being attached to those infrastructural indicators that have highest total impact and strongest 'linkages' across sectors. Only this can sustain the development 'push' generated in West Bengal. Otherwise, the superstructure will have only a weak base and will come crashing down any day.Infrastructure; Development; Error Correction; VAR; Time Series

Efficiency, Technological Progress and Regional Comparative Advantage: A Study of Organised Manufacturing Sector in India

Technological upgradation and increasing capital intensity in organised manufacturing sector in India has been championed on grounds of improving productivity, efficiency, and competitiveness. In a developing economy this is a costly proposition due to capital scarcity, and the effect of technological changes on productivity and efficiency levels have to be estimated before taking such policies. This paper seeks to estimate trends in Factor Productivity, Technological Progress, and Technological Efficiency in this sector and examines their relative importance also. Technical Efficiency is observed to be moderate and further declining in the nineties. Substantial disparity exists among regions and product groups regarding Efficiency, Technical Progress and Efficiency changes. It is found that increasing capital intensity has been associated with falling productivity, efficiency, and technological deceleration in the nineties. Wider diffusion rather than greater capital use is thus recommended for productivity rise. Regional efficiency matrix is also prepared so that states can focus on specific areas where they have comparative advantages.Productivity; Technical Efficiency; Technological Progress; Organised Manufacturing; Diffusion; Regional Comparative Advantage