Economic policy and tax reform in India / edited by K. Puttaswamaiah

The six papers contained in this book address to the task of new economic policies and tax reforms being attempted in India.

The chapter on Towards a New Adjustment and Reform Rationale, emphasises the need for recasting our entire development and planning profile on a self-reliant, domestic savings-based, austere, wage-goods productivity-based founda tions.

The second chapter provides a detailed analysis of the development and structure of tax reforms in India since Independence. India's fis cal problems are identified and a policy frame work for the future is provided. After reviewing a number of valuable reports of the government commissions on taxation, the most important one relating to the Chelliah Committee is also exam ined. Chapters three and four deal with the de velopment expenditure and public debt in India and debt-tax revenue ratio and government spending with the latest empirical analyses.

In the context of agricultural development, the chapter on Consumption Behaviour and Demand Projections of Fertilizers in India is important. The chapter also provides the guide lines for deciding the future demand, using the model of Tobin.

The last chapter on Regional Economic Change and Development Policy in India is an important one as the disparities in development in the various regions in India still persist, in spite of the planned era of over four decades. The picture of regional differentiation in terms of economic policy has been given very well and suggestions for bridging the gaps in deve lopment between different regions are pointed out.

Prof. M.S. Swaminathan in his 'Foreword has said that "the book addresses issues of great contemporary relevance. It provides valuable in sights into areas requiring urgent attention from planners and public policy makers."

It is hoped that this book will be useful to planners, policy makers, as well as academicians, researchers and all those concerned with the sub ject of planning and economic policy.