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Academic Publications

Journal Papers

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Jafar, K., Ananthpur, K. & Venkatachalam, L. (2023). 'Digital divide and access to online education: new evidence from Tamil Nadu, India'. Journal of Social and Economic Development. 25, 313–333.  https://doi.org/10.1007/s40847-023-00236-1



Abstract

The pandemic and the long closure of educational institutions have changed the learning and teaching practices across the globe. A massive and unplanned shift towards online education with unequal access to digital infrastructure deepens the existing digital divide and socio-economic inequalities. Tamil Nadu Covid Pulse Survey shows the state’s commitment to strengthening evidence-based policymaking and continuing its welfare tradition including its efforts to provide uninterrupted education during the crisis. Based on the three recent rounds of the panel survey conducted in October 2020 and August 2021, this article discusses Tamil Nadu’s experience in continuing education during the pandemic. The result highlights the existing digital divide and challenges faced by students in accessing online education. Some of the government initiatives like Kalvi TV telecasting classes for school students have been effective in addressing the digital divide between rural and urban areas in the state and making its education system more inclusive.

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​Sridharan, G & Kripa Ananth Pur (2023). ‘Cash and Wages: A Need for a Dual Strategy for Empowering Women in Tamil Nadu’, Economic and Political Weekly, Vol 58, No 39: 13 – 16. https://www.epw.in/journal/2023/39/commentary/cash-and-wages.html

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Abstract

The recent cash assistance scheme called the Kalaignar Magalir Urimai Thogai for eligible female household heads, announced by the Tamil Nadu government, is a significant policy intervention aimed at further strengthening women’s agency. Some of the implementation challenges that the scheme is likely to face are discussed while categorising the female beneficiaries within the households. The estimates from the Tamil Nadu Household Panel Survey’s Pre-Baseline Survey, 2018‒19 are used to bring out the representativeness of the female population within the households. An equal amount of state investment in other aspects of gender inequality is called for.

Working Papers

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Ananthpur, K., de Jong, J., Sridharan, G., & Shrivastava, B. (2023). How Good is Your Data? Challenges of Ensuring Data Quality in a Large-Scale Survey: Lessons from the Tamil Nadu Household Panel Survey (TNHPS). MIDS Working Paper No. 243. Madras Institute of Development Studies. https://www.mids.ac.in/assets/doc/WP_243.pdf

 

Abstract

The growing popularity of population-based household surveys, especially in developing countries, brings with it its own set of challenges. These household surveys are expected to provide reliable estimates of the population that can influence policymaking. Thus, there is an increasing need to maintain the rigour of data collection by ensuring meticulous data quality practices so that the estimates are a true representation of the population. However, Indian statistical agencies, which have historically relied on paper-based interviewing techniques, are now faced with the challenges of adapting to computer-assisted interviewing (CAI) methods commonly implemented in the West. This paper highlights the experiences of transitioning from paper-based interviewing techniques to CAI methodology in the Tamil Nadu Household Panel Survey (TNHPS), a longitudinal survey of a large household sample of over 2 lakhs. In addition, this paper highlights the various challenges faced in ensuring data quality in large population-level surveys and provides quality control guidance to minimise errors and increase data quality.
 

​​Ananthpur, K., Jafar, K., Sridharan, G., & Venkatachalam, L. (2022). Impact of the COVID-19 waves on Tamil Nadu’s economy and society. Working Paper No. 241. Madras Institute of Development Studies. https://www.mids.ac.in/assets/doc/WP_241.pdf

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Abstract​

The Tamil Nadu Covid Pulse Survey (TNCPS), a rapid response panel survey designed to take place at regular intervals of four months over the course of one year, assessed the impact of the global pandemic and the subsequent lockdown measures on a sample of approximately 13,000 households in Tamil Nadu. The TNCPS showed that a whopping 53% of the sample households faced job loss when a sudden nationwide lockdown was imposed in March 2020. This was coupled with a reduction in income and an increase in food insecurity at the household level. While the pandemic weakened in Tamil Nadu by the end of 2020 and fewer households reported job loss (17%), the subsequent second wave created irreparable damage to the economy. This paper uses data from the TNCPS undertaken in collaboration with the Department of Economics and Statistics, Government of Tamil Nadu, to illustrate the differences in the economic impact faced by the sampled households between the first and second waves of the Covid-19 pandemic. The paper also emphasises the need for governments to adopt data-driven practices in their disaster management strategies.

Conference Papers

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  • “Impact of the Pandemic on Tamil Nadu’s Economy: Inter-district Comparisons” by Kripa Ananthpur, L Venkatachalam, K Jafar, Karthick V and Gargi Sridharan, One-day seminar on "Revisiting the Impact of Covid-19: Lessons for Re-building a Resilient Economy and Society” organised by Madras Institute of Development Studies, 15th March 2023. 

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  • “Income and Employment from the Unorganised Sector in Tamil Nadu: Results from a Household Panel Survey” by Kripa Ananthpur & Jafar K, Conference on Indian Economy organised by the Centre for Development Studies, November 2022. 

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  • “COVID-19 and its Health Outcomes in Tamil Nadu – Evidence from a Telephonic Panel Survey” by Kripa Ananthpur, Jafar K, L Venkatachalam, Gopika Vipin and Gargi Sridharan, National Conference on “Many Facets of Covid-19 Pandemic”, organised by CSD, Hyderabad, March 2022

Other Publications

Policy Briefs

  • TNHPS-​BLS 2022-23

    • Welfare in Action: Translating Policies into Benefits​

  • TNCPS 2020-21

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  • TNHPS-PBS 2018-19

    • Status of  employment in Tamil Nadu​

    • Status of economic indicators in Tamil Nadu​

    • Status of water, sanitation and hygiene in Tamil Nadu​

    • Status of education in Tamil Nadu​

    • Status of housing, electricity, and cooking fuel in Tamil Nadu​

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Policy Briefs (TNHPS Pre-baseline)

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