Centre for Budget and Policy Studies
SV Complex, 1st floor,
55, KR Road, Basavangudi
Bangalore 560004
India
Phone/Fax: ++91-80-6618401
E-mail: cbps@123india.com
The Centre for Budget and Policy Studies is a non-partisan, non-profit, independent society established by a group of professionals based in Bangalore and registered under the Karnataka Registration of Societies Act in February 1998 [no 777 of 1997-98]. The President is Dr D.K. Subramanian and the Secretary and Director is Dr Vinod Vyasulu. Dr A. Indira is Treasurer, and Dr M Prahladachar is Fellow of CBPS.
The objective of the Society is to contribute through research to understanding and implementing a process of long run, sustainable, equitable development in countries like India. Equity, as we understand it, extends across time—future generations must not be deprived of resources because of irresponsible use—and class and gender—all human beings have inalienable rights that society must ensure.
One way of meeting this objective is by providing inputs into ongoing debates in society on matters of policy priority by collecting and analysing information and presenting scenerios of different options that face the public.
An area in which the CBPS can make a contribution is in the context of the ongoing process of democratisation and decentralisation following upon the 73rd and 74th amendments to the Indian constitution. In this context, budgets of different governmental bodies are important statements of policy priority. Budget analysis at local levels is an area where much needs to be done. This includes the process of budget allocations, of release of funds across levels of government, and implementation of development programmes. The CBPS has chosen to concentrate on this work for the next couple of years.
Another area of importance is ecological and environmental sustainability. The interface between local bodies and environmental programmes is another area of focus. CBPS will study the working of programmes like drinking water, watershed development, joint forest management to see how local bodies can contribute to the meeting of national objectives. Currently, the Centre is involved in projects in these areas in selected districts of Karnataka.
An example is the work of the Centre in studying the budgets of two zilla panchayats [Dharwad and Bangalore [Rural]] in Karnataka. This report, formally released by the Governor of Karnataka, Her Excellency Smt V.S. Rama Devi on July 4th 2000, is being used in programmes to orient those who have newly been elected to local government bodies. Further work in this area is in progress.
Another area of involvement is in the preparation of Human development Reports at the state level. CBPS has been involved in the preparation of the Human Development Reports of Madhya Pradesh and Karnataka.
CBPS will remain a small body of professionals who will work by interacting and networking with others who share such interests. Working groups for different studies with professional membership will be set up, and will work with minimal infrastructure. Full use will be made of modern technology in this process. The results of such work will be used in training, in dissemination of results and in follow up programmes.
The Centre has a small core staff, and works with professionals who contribute time and effort. In this sense, the CBPS is a body that facilitates research work of an applied nature by bringing together specialists in teams for specified purposes. With no recurring grant from any agency, CBPS works through research and consultancy projects for various government, private and international agencies.
The Centre has a small well-equipped office, with internet facility, computer support and excellent links with academic bodies.