This seminar will examine the systemic problems in the transparency and management of public spending in India that ultimately lead to India's implementation challenge. These problems - excessive float, corruption, poor auditing, low transparency, and administrative burdens - prevent programmes from achieving expected outcomes. Through an examination of evidence from evaluations on a social safety net programme, the seminar will build a case for reforms. These reforms have the potential to transform monitoring and evaluation of public sector programming, and decrease public borrowing by over US$ 15 billion.

This event is open to members of the University.

Santhosh Mathew is a political economist with extensive experience as a civil servant within the Indian Administrative Service. With a PhD in Development Studies from IDS, Sussex, and an MA in Economics from the Delhi School of Economics, he combines teaching and research with his assignments in the civil service. He has previously taught at India’s civil service college in Mussoorie (1994-2000) and was National Program Director (2000-03) of the Leadership for Environment and Development (LEAD) program in India. He is currently Joint Secretary (IT & Skills) at the Ministry of Rural Development, Government of India.