Thrust Areas of PPRI
The areas of activity of the Institute encompass all segments of society and polity where public policy formulation warrants scholarly study and research. Hence the projects undertaken by the Institute are on topical issues that are theoretically sound and empirically validated. In order to get a boarder, comparative picture and to avoid duplication and subsequent wastage of time and other resources, co-ordination with other research institutions is mandated in the activities of the Institute. Collaborative research and other activities are, thus, part of the work of the Institute that demands multi-disciplinary inquiry. All studies will be from an all-India angle with focus on Kerala, whose unique development experience, and the policy challenges that lie ahead continue to be a fertile and productive area of investigation. Research work in the Institute is contoured with a number of thrust areas from the point of view of the long term perception of the Institute that demand more meaningful interaction with the public as well as the policy makers.
The focus of this research project is on life chances that people have and on quality of life. Critiquing the existing policy making in the light of the best theoretical postulates and empirical tools, the study may endeavour to suggest the best alternatives. The focus areas of development policy are sustainable agricultural and industrial development, health, decentralisation, alternate and sustainable energy for Kerala and the like.
Study on issues relating to socially accountable and responsive governance forms an important thrust area of the Institute. Has decentralised democratic governance failed in India? How best can we explore the possibilities of deepening democracy through accountable, responsible and responsive local government in India? The Institute provides a research platform for probing into the vital issues in local governance.
The surface transport vehicle density is assuming astounding proportion in the country in general and in Kerala in particular. Every day, on an average, 11 persons lose their lives and 350 persons get injured in Kerala due to road accidents. This needs immediate attention of the authorities as well as the general public. Discussions on alternative transport policy are urgently required.
Villagers are rapidly abandoning agriculture to throng to cities, while cities themselves are bursting at their seams. Kerala which is widely hailed as an urban-rural continuum is heading towards a state where 100 percent of the population will be urban by 2020. Policy research to meet the challenges that will be ensuing is long overdue.
Environmental degradation and consequent impact on the lives of not only human beings but all the fauna and flora is a matter of serious concern. Sustainability should be fundamental to all development efforts. Unmindful exploitation of Nature and natural resources on the one hand and pollution of space, air, water and land on the other, turn the environment topsy-turvy. Not only that developmental endeavour should not cause environmental degradation but also should contribute to environmental promotion and sustainability. Studies in this area deserve utmost importance going by the current adverse changes in climate patterns and ecological diversity.
In the present globalised world, no State/country policy is independent of policy followed elsewhere in the world. It is true with regard to all sectors of life and economy. Studies and research on policies followed by the international bodies including the United Nations and its various organs, International Monetary Fund, World Bank, Asian Development Bank, ASEAN, G-20, SARC, BRICS, European Union and so on have crucial bearing on State policies. The Institute has selected international studies as a thrust area considering the importance it has in the current international polity.
It is estimated that out of the 60 million people in the age group of 15 to 24 in various educational institutions in the year 2010, at least 30 million after completion of their studies will come out as job seekers during the 12th plan period. They, being the educated youth, will not be satisfied with casual jobs or unskilled or semi-skilled work. Even in a small state like Kerala, as per the latest estimates in 2010, the number of the educated unemployed was 43.5 lakh. It means that more skilled and semi-skilled jobs have to be created along with unskilled job opportunities. It also necessitates timely modifications in policies on labour relations and laws during the 12th plan period. It appears to be a challenging area within the Institute’s already outlined activities.
As per the 2011 census, India’s population is 121 crore. From the point of view of economic development, it seems to be a positive factor. The profile of our population is tilted in favour of productive age group than that of most developed countries and even China. Therefore, in the next 20 years, the young work force of India increases by 32 per cent. On the other hand, in industrialised countries the population below 65 years will come down by 4 per cent and in the case of China by 5 per cent. If India is to take advantage of this favourable demographic factor, it has to fine-tune its efforts towards that. This issue opens up space for discussions on policy issues in related areas.