Social Sector in a Decentralized Economy

This book is an analytical examination of financing and public service delivery challenges in a decentralized framework. It also provides critical insights into the effectiveness of public expenditure, through benefit incidence analysis of education and healthcare services in India. The benefits of decentralization always come with conflicts and trade-offs. By unpacking the process of decentralization, the authors identify that 'unfunded mandates', arising from the asymmetry between finances and functions at local levels, are a major challenge. The analysis is carried out by distilling the existing studies in this area, and through an empirical investigation of public finance data at different public sector levels in India, as well as in some selected developing countries. Using the household survey statistics of consumption expenditure, an analysis of utilization or benefit incidence of public spending on social sectors in India is achieved, covering education and health sectors.List of tables, figures, boxes and appendices; List of abbreviations; Preface; 1. Unpacking decentralization; 2. Decentralization in service delivery: empirical evidences; 3. Decentralization in India: history, laws and politics; 4. Local-level fiscal decentralization: state finance commissions and devolution; 5. Decentralization of education; 6. Decentralization in health service delivery; 7. Measuring benefit incidence: health and education; 8. Effectiveness of decentralization on service delivery: accountability and efficiency; 9. What we have learnt and the way ahead; Bibliography; Index.