COVID-19 Pandemic, Public Policy, and Institutions in India

This book looks at the institutional and governance issues faced by India during the first and second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic and its adverse impact on the vulnerable sectors and groups.
The book is split into four parts, with preceding chapters informing later ones. Part One outlines the approach of the study, in particular their examination of policy responses and the effect of the pandemic. Part Two delves into the governance challenges in containing the pandemic while giving the theoretical rationale for institutional responses. Part Three looks at how the pandemic affected economically vulnerable households, workers, and small industries. The effect of pandemic on the informal sector is also detailed. Lastly, Part Four examines the impacts and responses of Indian public infrastructure and services to the pandemic, in particular the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on health care and schooling. It also explores the challenges caused by infrastructure inadequacies in Indian cities. The book closes by looking at how businesses in the private sector have responded to the COVID-19 pandemic, with a focus on Corporate Social Responsibility.
The book will be a useful reference to researchers, policymakers, and practitioners who are interested in institutions and development, especially in the context of India.

Indranil De, Kingshuk Sarkar

Part 1: COVID-19 Pandemic and Challenges 1. Introduction: the COVID-19 Pandemic, Challenges, and Policy Part 2: Challenges of COVID-19 for Institutions and Governance 2. Policy Response to Pandemic: COVID-19 SOPs and Guidelines 3. The Dichotomies of Management and Governance in the COVID-19 Pandemic: A View from Rawls Difference Principle and Political Economy Perspective Part 3: Impact of COVID-19 on Livelihood and Income of People 4. Some Aspects of Impact of Lockdown in India and the Way Forward 5. Income Shocks and Resilience of Economic Institutions: Role of Collective Organizations 6. Plight of Migrant Informal Workers in India and the Context of COVID-19 and Inadequacy of Existing Labour Legislations 7. MSMEs in India during Lock and Unlock Times: Policy Responses and Coping Strategies 8. The Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Domestic Workers in India Part 4: Infrastructural Challenges and Human Capital 9. Infrastructure Deficits in Indian Cities amid COVID-19: Key Opportunities and Challenges for Policy and Practice 10. Non-COVID-19 Health Care under the Era of COVID-19: A Study from Rural Bengal 11. Impact of Pandemic on School Education in India: Generations at Risk 12. Conspicuous Philanthropy or CSR in times of the COVID-19 Pandemic