Dr.Ravikant Joshi is an Urban Finance and Management specialist and has worked in India and abroad. He was chief accounts officer of Vadodara Municipal Corporation with more than 35 years of experience. He has been responsible for the conceptualisation, designing and implementation of Municipal Financial, Budgetary and Accounting System Reforms and their computerization in Vadodara Municipal Corporation. At present since August 2019, Dr. Joshi is working as an Advisor to Urban Management Centre – Ahmedabad. In 2017 to 2019 Dr. Joshi worked as a Team Leader – Technical Support Group to National Urban Livelihood Mission – Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs – Government of India and earlier as Advisor Urban to CRISIL Risk and Infrastructure Solutions. He has done consultancies for multilaterals like World Bank, Water & Sanitation Program, ADB, USAID, DFID, UN Habitat, CLGF and for various national/state level organisations on urban issues. He conceived, designed and spearheaded implementation of Accrual Base Double Entry Accounting System in 159 municipal bodies of Gujarat.
His Research and Published Work include; ‘Augmenting Capital Resources for Urban Development’, doctoral thesis published by Vadodara Municipal Corporation. More than 30 Research Papers have been presented in seminars and published in various journals pertaining to various urban issues. Under IHSP-HSMI National Fellowship he researched and documented the status of financial management system of 20 municipal corporations. Did a research study for UNDP on ‘Municipal Accounting and Financial Reporting System’ (2002). Prepared a policy paper on ‘Decentralisation and Local Finance Issues – Workings of State Finance Commissions in India’, under ADB’s Technical Assistance Project, ‘Policy Research Networking to Strengthen Policy Reforms’ (2006). His books published by YUVA – Mumbai are: ‘A Case for Reform – how municipal budgets can change our cities’, December 2001; ‘From Accounting to Accountability – A Case for Municipal Accounting Reforms’ published in September 2004; ‘Redesigning Governance – Relevance of Management Information System in Municipal Bodies’– published in June 2005; ‘Compendium of Urban Performance Indicators’, in November 2005.
He has extensive training experience in Training to Municipal Officers, Elected Representatives and Urban Activists. He is a leading public intellectual and activist and has written several articles regarding various urban issues / problems deliberately in regional language to create public awareness. Has worked with various civil society organisations like YUVA, PRIYA, JANAAGRAHA, Centre of Environmental Education (CEE), Janawani, Avantha Foundation etc.
He is also very involved in cultural activities and has a Bachelor of Performing Arts in Dramatics, degree from M. S. University – Baroda. Served as President of Baroda Amateurs’ Dramatic Club – Baroda. Directed Marathi Plays – ‘Goshta Janmantarichi (1992)’, ‘Pala Pala Kon Pudhe Palito (1993)’, Prema Tuza Rang Kasa (1994)’, ‘Sangeet Mandarmala (1996)’, Sangeet He Bandh Reshmache (2012)’, and a program on Marathi Natya Sangeet ‘ Marmabandhatali Thev Hi (2012). Researched and Directed Radio Program on Marathi Natyasangeet which broadcasted 52 episodes on Vividh Bharati every Sunday.