Monthly Archives: September 2013

Subsidise LED lamps!

When should subsidies be used as a policy tool? Can we use subsidies to encourage ‘desirable’ behaviour’, assuming for a moment that we agree on what it is. Would encouraging energy saving behaviour be a candidate for a subsidy if it can be shown to be in the larger public interest? There is an improved lighting technology available today in… Read more »

Food Security or Diabetes Subsidy?

The Food Security Bill, now being debated in Parliament, promises supplies of rice and wheat to poor citizens at a subsidised price. At the time of writing this, the Lok Sabha had passed the bill. Is this good or bad? Food security is good. So is good health. Will this Bill ensure good health? Or is this an irrelevant consideration? Let… Read more »