V N Alok has made notable contributions to India’s fiscal decentralisation and public finance frameworks, significantly enhancing governance efficiency at local and state levels. He conceptualised and developed the ‘Devolution Index,’ an analytical tool designed to systematically assess the real extent of resource transfers and administrative authority
delegated to local governments. This index has become instrumental in guiding central and state governments toward establishing more transparent, equitable, and accountable financial governance practices.
His recommendations for successive Finance Commissions, refining revenue-sharing mechanisms and augmenting the fiscal autonomy of local bodies have had a far-reaching impact. Particularly important has been his work focused on enhancing the fiscal capacity, accountability and responsiveness of municipalities and Panchayati Raj institutions.
