A GREAT INSTITUTION BUILDER, THIS ECONOMIST’S DEATH IS A BIG LOSS TO THE STATE
Sankar Ray
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2021-01-30 15:40
“In the context of Bihar, where both the corporate sector and civil society are weak, the ‘state’ remains the most important institution. Many a times, hegemony over the state machinery becomes more important than a majority in the legislative assembly. Even as a legislative majority is a necessary precondition for forming government, it may not be a sufficient condition to run the government smoothly. For instance, though Lalu-Rabri ruled for 15 years between 1990 and 2005, their control over the state machinery was generally marginal, sometimes even non-existent. Over and above, under the Tenth and Eleventh Finance Commission transfers (between 1995 to 2005), a significant period of Lalu-Rabri rule, Bihar received Rs 12, 000 crore less than the total quantum of projected transfers. This proved a major constraint in matters of governance”.