IOSR-JEF   Volume-6 ~ Issue-2 ~ March-April 2015

Abstract: Most of African countries are committed for over a decade in decentralization reforms that promote better management of local public affairs. This significant development of local institutional landscape is materialized through greater autonomy in financial and administrative management of communes. The management of financial resources therefore constitutes the pillars for local authorities concerning the local sustainable development. However, with the evolution, the general observation is made that indicates that the financial capacity of municipalities remain low. Moreover, the decentralization is now a major subject for developing countries especially in the context of policies against poverty and exclusion. It can play a great role in a country's development and it has become an important political agenda in many developing countries. This form of transferring power from the central government to the local should help Madagascar in its development. Decentralization permits the rural communes to manage their own financial resources and their expenses. However, the local level is considered to be a central issue for the success of development policies and the fight against poverty in Madagascar as in other African Countries. This paper analyses the repercussions of the financial management on local municipalities in Madagascar and proposes solutions through which it can be improved. Moreover, the good governance for the States is sometimes reflected by a good financial management and transparency concerning public administration in general. Also, improving the management in the rural area is an essential way to ameliorate development in Madagascar.

Keywords: Madagascar, decentralization, communes,financial management,governance, transparency

Abstract: Malnutrition is identified by a weight for height indicator within a given population, or by a measurement of a child's mid-upper arm circumference (MUAC). If dietary deficiencies are persistent, children will stop growing and become stunted (low height for one's age). This is referred to as chronic malnutrition. If they experience weight loss or 'wasting' (low weight for one's height), they are described as suffering from acute malnutrition. India's ICDS scheme The Integrated Child Development Scheme is perhaps the largest of all food and supplementation programmes in the world and was set up as an institutional response to the problem of malnutrition in India. Initiated in 1975, the ICDS was mandated with improving the health and nutrition status of children up to the age of six by providing supplementary food and by coordinating with state health departments to ensure delivery of required health inputs. Under the ICDS, cooked food is provided to children through anganwadi (community) centre's. One centre is provided for a population of 1000 (700 in the case of tribal areas). Fifty million children aged six and below are covered under this Rs.45 billion outreach programme. There has been much research on the benefit of micronutrient replacement and the promotion of breastfeeding as ways to prevent malnutrition and its complications in children. The study found the income level is lesser than national average. Even though there is a minimum availability of nutritious food to children's, majority of them are found to be malnourished.

Keywords: Poverty Measurement, Body Mass Index, Chronic Energy Deficiency, Malnutrition.

Abstract: The conditions for growth and the degree of inequality are two key factors that determine the extent of poverty reduction from per capita economic growth. The lower the inequality levels the more positive effect economic growth has on poverty levels. The link between economic development and human development is dependent on the effectiveness of countries to convert income into better lives for all their citizens (UNDP 2000). The international development target of halving the proportion of people living in extreme poverty by 2015 can be attained by low-inequality countries without any change in their growth pattern and with lower growth rates. However, high-inequality countries will only reach the target if growth is pro-poor and significantly higher than in the past (twice that of low-inequality countries). If all countries belonged to the low-inequality group then a forecasted growth of four per cent per annum would realize the target as early as 2005 (Hanmer et al 2000). So, this paper explores the idea of development and reduction of poverty, vulnerability and inequality by micro insurance in India.

Key words:Micro insurance, poverty, development, vulnerability, inequality

Abstract: The study was conducted to determine the level of Microfinance Banks' compliance to Stanley Morgan's International Benchmarks for Microfinance Institutions, the experience of Standard Microfinance Bank Limited (SMFB), Yola, Nigeria. The study exclusively used data from secondary sources, consisting of Standard Microfinance Bank's financial statements and reports. Morgan Stanley's methodology (model) for assessing Microfinance Institutions' Credit Risks performance rating was used to analyze the secondary data collected. The study revealed that SMFB performed below expectation in most of the indicators. Based on the findings of this study, Microfinance Banks (MFBs) are recommended to make Stanley Morgan's Bench mark indicators their guide for day to day operations. This will enable MFBs to be sustainable and easily meet up with the requirements of international investors and donors agencies.

Keywords: Bench marks, Microfinance Banks, Performance Measurement, Indicators,

Abstract: Micro finance is emerging as a powerful tool for poverty alleviation in India. This approach has recognition in India after the launch of SHGs and Bank linkage programme by NABARD in the year 1992. According to United Nations, micro finance institutions are the basic provider of small savings, micro credit and other basic financial services to poor and marginalised section like women. Despite substantial contributions of women to both household and national economy, their contributions are not recognised in the society. Rapid progress in SHGs and Bank linkage model has now turned into an empowerment movement among women in the country. From various empirical studies, it is found that micro finance through SHGs and Bank linkage model has enabled the members of SHGs to improve their socio-economic status. It also improves family savings, decision making process, self confidence among women section of our society. Micro finance is also necessary to overcome social exploitation and create confidence for self reliance among rural women and poor section of our society. Apart from the informal financial institutions, the formal and semi formal sectors also are taking much interest in providing micro finance to rural women in Assam. These financial institutions not only provide small savings and micro credit to women but bringing them together in organised banking sector. This paper highlights that micro finance through SHGs has a positive role in income, savings and investment of women in Rani Block of Kamrup District of Assam.

Key Words: Micro finance, SHGs, Women empowerment, NABARD, Micro credit, SHGs and Bank linkage model.

Abstract: This study tries to reveal the role of microcredit in enhancing women empowerment in south-west region of Bangladesh, especially in Batiaghata Upazila of Khulna District. The sample size is 80 which has been selected randomly, and, is comprising of equal number of microcredit taker and non-microcredit taker women of Batiaghata Upazila which has been selected randomly, engaged in poultry farming. Cumulative Empowerment Index (CEI) is constructed and multiple linear regression model is used to find out women empowerment status. By using CEI, the study has found that the microcredit taker women are economically more empowered than the non-microcredit taker women. By using multiple linear regression model, the study also finds that, contribution to household income, monthly investment, and new addition to asset ownership of the respondents have statistically significant effect on women empowerment. But status regarding microcredit taking gives statistically insignificant result. Above all, based on the empirical result, it can be concluded that status regarding microcredit has a positive effect on economic empowerment of women in the study area. Keywords: Microcredit, Economic empowerment of women, Cumulative Empowerment Index

Abstract: Article 192 of Law No. 11 Year 2006 concerning Aceh Government declared "zakat as a deduction of income taxes payable (taxes-credit)", while Article 22 of Law No. 23 of 2011 on Zakat Management stated "zakat as a deduction of taxable income (taxes deductable) ". Thus there has been disharmony between these two provisions and until now, the provisions of zakat as a deduction of income tax payable (taxes-crediet) in Aceh cannot be implemented. The purpose of this study was to investigate the implementation of the provisions of "zakat as a tax deduction payable in Aceh and the solutions to the disharmony of provisions of Article 192 of Law No. 11 of 2006 with legislation governing income tax must be understood as a form of special treatment or comply with legal principle "Lex specialis derogat legi generalis". The central government in this case the Ministry of Finance shall issue regulations implementing Section 192 regulating zakat as a deduction of income taxes payable that only applies in Aceh; or the Government of Aceh to apply for judicial review of Article 192 of Law No. 11 of 2006 to the Constitutional Court.

Keywords: Conflict Setting of Zakat, Income Taxes.

Abstract: The research study examines the Microfinance Banking and Development of Small Business in emerging economy: Nigerian Approach. The Microfinance Banks (MFBs) serve as an engine through which economic industrial development subsists in Nigeria. MFBs have been involved in the promotion, growth and development of the informal sector and remains heralded strategy for industrial development in emerging economies including Nigeria. The primary source of data was adopted via questionnaire and oral interview. A simple regression was used to address the responses of the respondents gathered though the questionnaire in order to derive logical conclusion for the study. It was however established that MFBs have the capacity to boost economic development in Nigeria through the support of government agency (CBN) to keep them tracked and to be focused on the objectives for which they were established. Also, the reviewing and refining of the National Microfinance development Strategy Policy for MFBs in Nigeria is remarkable and commendable. The paper further recommends that MFBs' operations should be continuously be monitored by the regulatory agency (CBN) in order to adequately address the gap in terms of credit, savings and other financial services required by the micro entrepreneurs. The latent capacity of the poor for entrepreneurship would be significantly enhanced through the provision of microfinance services to enable them engage in economic activities and be more self-reliant, increase employment opportunities, enhanced household income,create wealth etc.

Keywords: Small business, Microfinance banks (MFBs), Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), National Economic Empowerment and Development Strategy (NEEDS), Nigeria, Microfinance Institutions (MFIs).

Abstract: This study has examined the impact of public expenditure on economic growth in Nigeria using time series data for the period 1970-2012. Secondary data were sourced from the CBN, NBS, journals, text books etc. The adopted model was fitted with three variables: real GDP, capital and recurrent expenditure. The tools of analysis were the ADF unit root test and ordinary least square multiple regression accompanied by pairwise Granger causality test. The major objective of this study is to analyse the impact as well as direction of causality between the fiscal variables and economic growth. All the variables included in the model are stationary at level. Empirical findings from the study show that there is positive and insignificant relationship between capital expenditure and economic growth while recurrent expenditure had a significant positive impact on economic growth. Also, Granger causality test demonstrates a unidirectional causality running from the fiscal variables to economic growth in validation of the Keynesian theory. Consequently, the study recommended more allocation of resources for recurrent purposes as well; government should establish the body that will monitor contract awarding process of capital projects closely, to guard against over estimation of project cost and stealing of public funds. Keywords: Capital expenditureEconomic growth, Granger causality, andRecurrent expenditure.

Abstract: L'intérêt du présent papier est d'examiner le ralentissement de la croissance économique à cause de la corruption endémique qui tend à freiner l'investissement privé, diminuer la qualité de l'investissement public, favoriser le développement d'une économie de rente et paralyser le développement de toute la société marocaine. L'analyse de la littérature théorique et empirique existante à ce sujet montre en effet que la corruption entraine un coût socio-économique important. La prévalence de ce fléau peut expliquer les faibles performances des entreprises. En favorisant certains secteurs rentiers, la corruption impacte sur la distribution optimale des dépenses publiques. Elle peut prendre la forme d'une taxe sur l'entreprise productive décourageant ainsi l'investissement. La corruption est un problème systémique. Seule une approche globale peut être efficace pour lutter contre la corruption. Or, la lutte contre la corruption commence par la volonté politique. Les responsables doivent non seulement conduire les réformes mais également donner l'exemple. Une bonne stratégie se concentre sur les causes et non les effets, sur la guérison et non seulement sur le diagnostic, sur les systèmes corrompus et non seulement sur les parties.
Mots clés: Corruption, Croissance, développement, stratégie gouvernementale, lutte contre la corruption.