Goa Dialogues lecture on "Emerging Issues in the Indian Economy"

The international Centre Goa organized the GOA DIALOGUES lecture on “Emerging Issues of the Indian Economy” by Dr. M Govinda Rao - Director, National Institute of Public Finance and Policy (NIPFP) and Member, Economic Advisory Council to the Prime Minister of India- on Monday, 23 June 2008 at 5:30 pm at Panaji Goa.  The lecture was chaired by Shri. Pratapsingh Rane – President, ICG and Speaker of the Goa Legislative Assembly and Co-chaired by Dr. V A Pai Panandiker – Vice-President, ICG.

Dr M Govinda Rao, stressed on the need of a stable macro economic policy for further strengthening India’s economy, rather than the ad hoc policies which are currently being followed. He also stressed on the need for a competent regulator for achieving good market economy for India.  Dr. Rao provided the analysis of the demographic dividend and its relevance to India and urged that we should utilize this to the maximum benefit of our country.

Mr Rao emphasized that though 70 per cent of the country’s growth has been contributed by service sector, the agricultural sector cannot be neglected, in spite of the fact that agriculture with 52 per cent employment share generates only 19 per cent GDP.  He also stressed on the inclusive economy where government as well as non-government organizations especially the emerging corporate leaders should participate in the development.

The GOA DIALOGUES , a joint project of the International Centre Goa and Asian Dialogue Society , is a new initiative to promote and strengthen peace, stability, freedom, independence, and sustainable development in Asia and the world through dialogue, interaction and mutual cooperation among civilizations. This initiative will be a synthesizer and transmitter of ideas and activities that will contribute to building a resurgent Goa, a progressive India, a better Asia, and a safer world.  The GOA DIALOGUES was recently launched by Dr. Manmohan Singh, Hon Prime Minister of India.

This is the second lecture held under this series. The first lecture was on “Mao Zedong: The Real Story and his Attitude to India” delivered jointly by Dr. Jung Chang, well known author of “Wild Swans”, and Dr Jon Halliday, historian of China and Russia.  The lecture was held at the Kala Academy.Dr. Rao holds a Ph.D. in Economics. His past assignments include Fellow, Research School of Pacific and Asian Studies, The Australian National University; Professor, NIPFP; and Economic Adviser, Ninth Finance Commission, Government of India.  He has been an External Expert to Financial and Fiscal Commission, Republic of South Africa. He has been a Consultant to World Bank, IMF, UNDP, ADB and UNESCAP.

Dr. Rao has held several advisory positions such as Chairman, Expert Group on Taxation of Services, Ministry of Finance, Government of India; Chairman, Committee for Introduction of Economic Instruments for Environmental Compliance by Industries in Karnataka, Government of Karnataka; and Member, Tax Reforms Commission, Government of Karnataka.