J-PAL partners Chennai institute

The Abdul Lateef Jameel Poverty Action Lab (J-PAL), based in the economics department of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), has partnered Chennai-based Institute of Financial Management and Research (IFMR) to set up a field office in India. This marks J-PAL's formal entry into India. The Chennai office will cater to the entire south Asian region.

J-PAL is involved in randomised evaluations of poverty programmes in 13 countries in partnership with various local partners, and also disseminates the results of its research studies.

Launching J-PAL's operations in India, Infosys founder and non-executive chairman Narayana Murthy, said, "India has a critical role in doing away with poverty, especially because one-fourth of the people are poverty-stricken. If India can't win, the world can't win. Organisations like J-PAL have tremendous responsibility on their shoulders and the working of such institutions across the globe will help the social sector grow."

"According to a Goldman Sachs report, we will be able to sustain 8 per cent growth up to 2020, but it is possible only if we cut the humongous red tapism that exists in the country. The public administration system should be more transparent," he said.

R Chandrasekar, dean - academic affairs, said, "The Centre for Microfinance at IFMR will work closely with J-PAL on projects involving micro-finance, improving common man's access to finance, public health and assessing and evaluating the risks farmers face. Working with J-PAL will help us work with its lead researchers and we will have the benefits of having access to its field level data."

J-PAL's south Asian operations will be funded by MIT and the Mulago Foundation, among others.