Summit

India Economic Forum, 29th November 2019

IEF_Logo-hi

Overview

The grammar of economics dictates that the policy be either ‘left of center’ or ‘right of center’ so does the grammar of development. Neither allow for explaining out of box thinking, disruption or even plain common sense. In the run up to 2014 elections in a conversation with Mr Modi, I told him that it is difficult for textbook economists to understand his policies through the prism of ‘isms.’ His policy eschews ‘isms’ and looks at each issue from the prism of ‘inclusivity.’ Inclusive Economics and Inclusive Governance are the essence of Prime Minister Modi’s economic policy and a
few economists are tying themselves in knots trying to understand this.

The biggest challenge being faced by the Indian economy is that of a confused narrative being spun by Indian economists taking pot-shots from foreign shores. The same economists whose contributions to the present slowdown are well documented. This, however, does not justify the homily-based growth bravado, which is equally counterproductive. Yes, we are facing a slowdown and no, it is not the end of the world as we know it.

Naysayers spin doomsday prophesies with great alacrity in the hope of self-fulfilment. Yeasayers are not able to talk convincingly about what is going on or able to articulate plans that are underway to beat the slowdown.

Articulating a knowledge-based authoritative narrative on the strength of experience is the need of the hour.

Rising yet again to this patriotic duty, SKOCH Group is organising the ‘India Economic Forum’ on 29th November 2019 at Constitution Club of India. The objective of the Forum is to use the vast intellectual wisdom available within India to put the Indian economy in perspective.

The ‘India Economic Forum’ will deep dive into the macroeconomic essentials of growth and employment; completing tax reforms by rationalising personal income tax and GST; assess the state of state finances and the impact of new terms of reference for the 15th Finance Commission.

There are schemes that have performed brilliantly well and are changing the rural economic and development landscape. The Forum will take note of and learn from successful schemes such as Ayushman Bharat, Swachh Bharat, Ujjwala Yojana as well as Rural Transformation which is underway.

It would also recommend ways to scale these further, converge more schemes and undertake drastic digital re-engineering on services delivery. It would try to highlight initiatives like Aspirational Districts whose good performance and impact may be hiding in plain sight.

Inaugural Session Completing Tax Reforms The Macroeconomic Essentials Strengthening Federalism Welfare Economics SKOCH Order-of-Merit Investiture Ceremony 2019 Valedictory Session & SKOCH Award 2019 Investiture Ceremony

Inaugural Session (0900-1000 hrs)

0800-0815 Registration
0815-0850 Exhibition Inauguration and Visit
0850-0900 To be seated in the Plenary Hall
0900-1000 Inaugural Session
0900-0905 Assembly and National Anthem
0905-0910 Welcome & Opening Remarks
0910-0920

Mr Sameer Kochhar, Chairman, SKOCH Group

@SkochSameer

 

 

0920-0935 Jai Hind Keynote:

Dr K V Subramanian, Chief Economic Adviser, Government of India

@SubramanianKri

 

0935-0940 SKOCH Challenger Award to be conferred on Dr Arvind Virmani, Chairman, EGROW Foundation
0940-0955

Jai Hind Keynote:

Dr Arvind Virmani, Chairman, EGROW Foundation

@dravirmani

 

Inaugural Session (0900-1000 hrs)

0800-0815 Registration
0815-0850 Exhibition Inauguration and Visit
0850-0900 To be seated in the Plenary Hall
0900-1000 Inaugural Session
0900-0905 Assembly and National Anthem
0905-0910 Welcome & Opening Remarks
0910-0920

Mr Sameer Kochhar, Chairman, SKOCH Group

@SkochSameer

 

0920-0935 Jai Hind Keynote:

Dr K V Subramanian, Chief Economic Adviser, Government of India

@SubramanianKri

 

0935-0940 Conferring of SKOCH Challenger Award
0940-0955

Jai Hind Keynote:

Dr Arvind Virmani, Chairman, EGROW Foundation

@dravirmani

 

The Macroeconomic Essentials (1000-1115)

0955-1115 The Macroeconomic Essentials
Narratives are key determinants of economic trends. When signs of an economic slowdown emerge, people begin postponing consumption purchases and investment decisions, further weakening consumer and investor confidence.

Recent measures announced by the government to reverse the economic slowdown, especially tax cuts, will improve the sentiment and support growth and jobs creation. But more needs to be done, as the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has revised its GDP growth projection for this year to 6.1 per cent from 6.9 per cent it made in August.

The RBI’s Consumer Confidence Index shows a slowdown in consumption demand. The aggregate capacity utilisation has declined. More worryingly, while bank credit to commercial sector turned negative at Rs 1,287 billion in the first six months of the financial year (April-September 2019) against Rs 1,850 billion in the same period last year (Apri -September 2018), non-bank credit to commercial sector declined to Rs 2,197 billion against Rs 5,510 billion in the same period.

In good news, the current account deficit is expected to decline to below 2 per cent of GDP from 2.1 per cent of GDP in 2018-19. Ratings agencies expect that growing foreign direct investments, foreign portfolio investments and banking capital inflows will tip the capital account into surplus – of $70.0 billion – this year.

Key Issues:

  1. How to put Indian economy back on a high growth trajectory?
  2. How to ensure that the growth is job generative and spatially dispersed?
  3. What measures should be taken for lifting business and consumer mood and reviving animal spirit?
Moderator: Ms Puja Mehra, Author & Economist @pujamehra
Dr V Anantha Nageswaran, Part-time Member, Economic Advisory Council to the Prime Minister

Dr Shubhada Rao, Chief Economist, YES Bank

@ShubhadaRao
Mr Gopal Krishna Agarwal, National Spokesperson – Economic Affairs, Bharatiya Janata Party @gopalkagarwal
Mr Dharmakirti Joshi, Chief Economist, CRISIL @EconomistDK
Mr Subhomoy Bhattacharjee, Consultant, Research and Information System for Developing Countries (RIS)
1100-1115 Q&A
1115-1145 Tea Break
1050-1100

Practical Ideas for $10 Trillion Economy: Mr Rohan Kochhar, Director, Public Policy, SKOCH Group

@RohanSkoch

 

The Macroeconomic Essentials (1000-1115)

0955-1115 The Macroeconomic Essentials
Narratives are key determinants of economic trends. When signs of an economic slowdown emerge, people begin postponing consumption purchases and investment decisions, further weakening consumer and investor confidence.

Recent measures announced by the government to reverse the economic slowdown, especially tax cuts, will improve the sentiment and support growth and jobs creation. But more needs to be done, as the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has revised its GDP growth projection for this year to 6.1 per cent from 6.9 per cent it made in August.

The RBI’s Consumer Confidence Index shows a slowdown in consumption demand. The aggregate capacity utilisation has declined. More worryingly, while bank credit to commercial sector turned negative at Rs 1,287 billion in the first six months of the financial year (April-September 2019) against Rs 1,850 billion in the same period last year (Apri -September 2018), non-bank credit to commercial sector declined to Rs 2,197 billion against Rs 5,510 billion in the same period.

In good news, the current account deficit is expected to decline to below 2 per cent of GDP from 2.1 per cent of GDP in 2018-19. Ratings agencies expect that growing foreign direct investments, foreign portfolio investments and banking capital inflows will tip the capital account into surplus – of $70.0 billion – this year.

Key Issues:

  1. How to put Indian economy back on a high growth trajectory?
  2. How to ensure that the growth is job generative and spatially dispersed?
  3. What measures should be taken for lifting business and consumer mood and reviving animal spirit?
0955-1005 Practical Ideas for $10 Trillion Economy: Mr Rohan Kochhar, Director, Public Policy, SKOCH Group

@RohanSkoch

 

 

Moderator: Ms Puja Mehra, Author & Economist @pujamehra
Dr V Anantha Nageswaran, Part-time Member, Economic Advisory Council to the Prime Minister

Dr Shubhada Rao, Chief Economist, YES Bank

@ShubhadaRao
Mr Gopal Krishna Agarwal, National Spokesperson – Economic Affairs, Bharatiya Janata Party @gopalkagarwal
Mr Dharmakirti Joshi, Chief Economist, CRISIL @EconomistDK
Mr Subhomoy Bhattacharjee, Consultant, Research and Information System for Developing Countries (RIS)
1100-1115 Q&A
1115-1145 Tea Break

Completing Tax Reforms (1145-1330 hrs)

1145-1330 Completing Tax Reforms
Responding to slow growth, the government announced cuts in corporate taxes and the taxes for new manufacturing companies. This path-breaking reform will boost corporate profitability and improve the sentiment, which is a necessary condition for reversing the economic slowdown.

After the cuts, the Indian tax rate is now competitive with other economies including Vietnam, Singapore, Thailand and China. The timing of the move is excellent, given that many companies are looking to relocate their manufacturing base out of China in the wake of rising US-China trade tensions. The move can act as a big catalyst to attract fresh investments from foreign and domestic players over the medium term.

Is there is scope for relief on taxes on individuals now without bringing revenue under too much pressure? On the indirect taxes side, the Goods & Services Tax (GST) needs to become simpler, stable and predictable quickly. Its weaknesses are proving to be a drag on GDP growth, especially for the exports sector and the MSME segment. Plus, its collections are falling short of targets and potential. Perhaps a source of boosting revenue and making taxes more fair and efficient is the area of taxation of global companies in the digital space on which the OECD has proposed a major overhaul of the international tax system.

Key Issues:

  1. What immediate corrections are needed in the GST rates and collection system?
  2. Can GSTN based bill discounting be leveraged for better availability of credit?
  3. How can digital MNCs be taxed more efficiently in India? Is the OECD model an option?
1145-1200 Jai Hind Keynote:

Dr M Govinda Rao, Former Member, Fourteenth Finance Commission, Former Director, NIPFP

@MMgrao

 

Moderator: Mr Sameer Kochhar, Chairman, SKOCH Group

@SkochSameer
Mr Arun Goyal, Former Secretary, Government of India @ArunGoyal59
Mr Ved Kumar Jain, Chairman, Ved Jain and Associates @vjaindia
Mr Anil Sharma, Founder, A.Sharma and Co. @sharmaanil54
Mr Sharad Sharma, Co-Founder, iSpirt Foundation @sharads
Dr Suranjali Tandon, Assistant Professor, NIPFP @TandonSuranjali

Dr Ravi Kant Gupta, Author and Additional Commissioner of Income Tax, HQ Administration, New Delhi

@ravikant1211
1315-1330 Q&A
1330-1415 Lunch

Completing Tax Reforms (1145-1330 hrs)

1145-1330 Completing Tax Reforms
Responding to slow growth, the government announced cuts in corporate taxes and the taxes for new manufacturing companies. This path-breaking reform will boost corporate profitability and improve the sentiment, which is a necessary condition for reversing the economic slowdown.

After the cuts, the Indian tax rate is now competitive with other economies including Vietnam, Singapore, Thailand and China. The timing of the move is excellent, given that many companies are looking to relocate their manufacturing base out of China in the wake of rising US-China trade tensions. The move can act as a big catalyst to attract fresh investments from foreign and domestic players over the medium term.

Is there is scope for relief on taxes on individuals now without bringing revenue under too much pressure? On the indirect taxes side, the Goods & Services Tax (GST) needs to become simpler, stable and predictable quickly. Its weaknesses are proving to be a drag on GDP growth, especially for the exports sector and the MSME segment. Plus, its collections are falling short of targets and potential. Perhaps a source of boosting revenue and making taxes more fair and efficient is the area of taxation of global companies in the digital space on which the OECD has proposed a major overhaul of the international tax system.

Key Issues:

  1. What immediate corrections are needed in the GST rates and collection system?
  2. Can GSTN based bill discounting be leveraged for better availability of credit?
  3. How can digital MNCs be taxed more efficiently in India? Is the OECD model an option?
1145-1200 Jai Hind Keynote:

Dr M Govinda Rao, Former Member, Fourteenth Finance Commission, Former Director, NIPFP

@MMgrao

 

 

Moderator: Mr Sameer Kochhar, Chairman, SKOCH Group

@SkochSameer
Mr Arun Goyal, Former Secretary, Government of India @ArunGoyal59
Mr Ved Kumar Jain, Chairman, Ved Jain and Associates @vjaindia
Mr Anil Sharma, Founder, A.Sharma and Co. @sharmaanil54
Mr Sharad Sharma, Co-Founder, iSpirt Foundation @sharads
Dr Suranjali Tandon, Assistant Professor, NIPFP @TandonSuranjali

Dr Ravi Kant Gupta, Author and Additional Commissioner of Income Tax, HQ Administration, New Delhi

@ravikant1211
1315-1330 Q&A
1330-1415 Lunch

Strengthening Federalism (1415-1545 hrs)

1415-1545 Strengthening Federalism
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, as was visible during his tenure as chief minister of Gujarat, is an advocate of greater autonomy for states in terms of how they want to design their development programmes and spend their share of taxes. In fact, he has even argued in the past for state governments to be given the right to collect income tax.

Against this backdrop, the new terms of reference communicated to the 15th Finance Commission suggest to consider carving out a separate fund from the divisible pool of taxes to be specifically earmarked for internal security and defence-related spending—something that is constitutionally a central government responsibility.

Already, the RBI’s latest report on states’ finances shows, there is an increase in states’ indebtedness, with inter-generational consequences and sharp retrenchment in development expenditures.

Debt has risen persistently since 2015-16, led by schemes like UDAY. Non-development expenditure rose sharply during 2017-18 in a break from the past, led by committed expenditures such as salaries, pension and interest payments.

Financing via market borrowings is slated to go up. Debt liabilities rose through 2016-19 and are likely to remain around 25% of GDP in 2019-20, making sustainability of debt the main fiscal challenge.

Key Issues:

  1. What is the state of the states’ finances?
  2. What is the impact of the new terms of reference for the 15th Finance Commission on centre-state fiscal relations?
  3. What are the states’ fiscal challenges and what do these mean for the ongoing economic slowdown?
1415-1420

Mr Sameer Kochhar, Chairman, SKOCH Group

@SkochSameer
1420-1435

Jai Hind Keynote: Mr N K Singh, Hon’ble Chairman, 15th Finance Commission

@NKSingh_MP

 

Moderator: Prof V N Alok, Indian Institute of Public Administration (IIPA)

@vnalok

 

Dr Sudipto Mundle, Member, 14th Finance Commission

 

Dr Charan Singh, Distinguished Fellow, SKOCH Development Foundation and Non Executive Chairman, Punjab & Sind Bank

@CharanSingh60
Ms Renu Kohli, Independent Economist @renukohli_eco
Ms Puja Mehra, Author & Economist @pujamehra
1530-1545 Q&A

Strengthening Federalism (1415-1545 hrs)

1415-1545 Strengthening Federalism
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, as was visible during his tenure as chief minister of Gujarat, is an advocate of greater autonomy for states in terms of how they want to design their development programmes and spend their share of taxes. In fact, he has even argued in the past for state governments to be given the right to collect income tax.

Against this backdrop, the new terms of reference communicated to the 15th Finance Commission suggest to consider carving out a separate fund from the divisible pool of taxes to be specifically earmarked for internal security and defence-related spending—something that is constitutionally a central government responsibility.

Already, the RBI’s latest report on states’ finances shows, there is an increase in states’ indebtedness, with inter-generational consequences and sharp retrenchment in development expenditures.

Debt has risen persistently since 2015-16, led by schemes like UDAY. Non-development expenditure rose sharply during 2017-18 in a break from the past, led by committed expenditures such as salaries, pension and interest payments.

Financing via market borrowings is slated to go up. Debt liabilities rose through 2016-19 and are likely to remain around 25% of GDP in 2019-20, making sustainability of debt the main fiscal challenge.

Key Issues:

  1. What is the state of the states’ finances?
  2. What is the impact of the new terms of reference for the 15th Finance Commission on centre-state fiscal relations?
  3. What are the states’ fiscal challenges and what do these mean for the ongoing economic slowdown?
1415-1420

Mr Sameer Kochhar, Chairman, SKOCH Group

@SkochSameer
1420-1435

Jai Hind Keynote: Mr N K Singh, Hon’ble Chairman, 15th Finance Commission

@NKSingh_MP

 

 

 

Moderator: Prof V N Alok, Indian Institute of Public Administration (IIPA)

@vnalok

 

 

 

Dr Sudipto Mundle, Member, 14th Finance Commission

 

 

 

 

Dr Charan Singh, Distinguished Fellow, SKOCH Development Foundation and Non Executive Chairman, Punjab & Sind Bank

@CharanSingh60
Ms Renu Kohli, Independent Economist @renukohli_eco
Ms Puja Mehra, Author & Economist @pujamehra
1530-1545 Q&A

Welfare Economics (1545-1715 hrs)

1545-1715 Welfare Economics
Prime Minister Modi has secured voter trust through his agenda of welfare programmes.

Among the programmes that stand out in the overall welfare bouquet are: One, Ayushman Bharat has improved capacity utilisation of healthcare infrastructure through better monitoring. Combining insurance and technology, the scheme has revolutionised delivery of free and quality healthcare services. 40 lakh poor Indians have availed free insurance benefits in less than a year, without having to do any paperwork. Two, Swachch Bharat is changing behaviour towards cleanliness and hygiene. India is now an ‘open defecation-free’ country, as declared by Prime Minister Modi on the occasion of the 150th birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi. It’s only a matter of time when this achievement will lead to improvements in health outcomes. And three, PMGSY, DDU-GKY and other rural schemes for low-cost housing, electricity connections, cooking gas connections, no-frills bank accounts and MUDRA loans.

These schemes for skilling, physical and financial rural infrastructure will unleash entrepreneurial energies in the villages and unlock the economic potential there, reducing the India-Bharat divide.

Key Issues:

  1. Supporting systemic reform for ensuring there’s no undue pressure on state and central government finances and future liabilities?
  2. Having got the key welfare schemes right, should the next logical steps such as convergence of schemes and a complete digital delivery be taken?
  3. If despite a host of welfare schemes rural consumption is slowing, then does the approach need a re-look?
1545-1550 SKOCH Challenger Award to be conferred on Ms Yamini Aiyar, President & Chief Executive, Centre for Policy Research
1550-1555 SKOCH Challenger Award to be conferred on Mr Amarjeet Sinha, Secretary, Ministry of Rural Development
1555-1610

Jai Hind Keynote: Rural Transformation –

Mr Amarjeet Sinha, Secretary, Ministry of Rural Development

@Secretary_MoPR

 

1610-1625

Jai Hind Keynote: Health Systems for New India –

Dr Vinod K Paul, Hon’ble Member, NITI Aayog

 

Moderator: Ms Smita Sharma, Senior Independent Journalist

@Smita_Sharma

Ms Yamini Aiyar, President & Chief Executive, Centre for Policy Research

@CPR_India

Dr Dhiraj Nayyar, Director – Economy & Policy, Vedanta

@nayyardhiraj

Dr N R Bhanumurthy, Professor, National Institute of Public Finance and Policy

@nrbmurthy73
1700-1715 Q&A
1715-1725 Delegates move to the respective halls for SKOCH Order-of-Merit
1725-1755 SKOCH Order-of-Merit | Plenary Hall (Annexe) Dr Shefali Dash, Former Director General, NIC & Distinguished Fellow, SKOCH Foundation
Mr U K Sharma, Former Advisor, NITI Aayog

SKOCH Order-of-Merit | Speaker Hall (Main Building)

Prof V N Alok, Indian Institute of Public Administration (IIPA)
Mr Nirmal Bansal, Former Banker & Senior Fellow, SKOCH Foundation

SKOCH Order-of-Merit | Dy Speaker Hall (Main Building)

Mr Madan Mohan, Former CGM, NABARD
Mr Subodh Shukla, Former DDG, NIC
1755-1800 Delegates re-assemble for SKOCH Awards in Plenary Hall
1800-1900 Valedictory and SKOCH Award
1800-1810

Jury Presentation

1810-1855 SKOCH Award
1855-1900 Group Photograph

Welfare Economics (1545-1715 hrs)

1545-1715 Welfare Economics
Prime Minister Modi has secured voter trust through his agenda of welfare programmes.

Among the programmes that stand out in the overall welfare bouquet are: One, Ayushman Bharat has improved capacity utilisation of healthcare infrastructure through better monitoring. Combining insurance and technology, the scheme has revolutionised delivery of free and quality healthcare services. 40 lakh poor Indians have availed free insurance benefits in less than a year, without having to do any paperwork. Two, Swachch Bharat is changing behaviour towards cleanliness and hygiene. India is now an ‘open defecation-free’ country, as declared by Prime Minister Modi on the occasion of the 150th birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi. It’s only a matter of time when this achievement will lead to improvements in health outcomes. And three, PMGSY, DDU-GKY and other rural schemes for low-cost housing, electricity connections, cooking gas connections, no-frills bank accounts and MUDRA loans.

These schemes for skilling, physical and financial rural infrastructure will unleash entrepreneurial energies in the villages and unlock the economic potential there, reducing the India-Bharat divide.

Key Issues:

  1. Supporting systemic reform for ensuring there’s no undue pressure on state and central government finances and future liabilities?
  2. Having got the key welfare schemes right, should the next logical steps such as convergence of schemes and a complete digital delivery be taken?
  3. If despite a host of welfare schemes rural consumption is slowing, then does the approach need a re-look?
1545-1550 SKOCH Challenger Award to be conferred on Ms Yamini Aiyar, President & Chief Executive, Centre for Policy Research
1550-1605

Jai Hind Keynote: Rural Transformation –

Mr Amarjeet Sinha, Secretary, Ministry of Rural Development

@Secretary_MoPR

 

 

1605-1620

Jai Hind Keynote: Health Systems for New India –

Dr Vinod K Paul, Hon’ble Member, NITI Aayog

 

 

 

Moderator: Ms Smita Sharma, Senior Independent Journalist

@Smita_Sharma

Ms Yamini Aiyar, President & Chief Executive, Centre for Policy Research

@CPR_India

Dr Dhiraj Nayyar, Director – Economy & Policy, Vedanta

@nayyardhiraj

Dr N R Bhanumurthy, Professor, National Institute of Public Finance and Policy

@nrbmurthy73
1700-1715 Q&A
1715-1725 Delegates move to the respective halls for SKOCH Order-of-Merit
1725-1755 SKOCH Order-of-Merit | Plenary Hall (Annexe) Dr Shefali Dash, Former Director General, NIC & Distinguished Fellow, SKOCH Foundation
Mr U K Sharma, Former Advisor, NITI Aayog

SKOCH Order-of-Merit | Speaker Hall (Main Building)

Prof V N Alok, Indian Institute of Public Administration (IIPA)
Mr Nirmal Bansal, Former Banker & Senior Fellow, SKOCH Foundation

SKOCH Order-of-Merit | Dy Speaker Hall (Main Building)

Mr Madan Mohan, Former CGM, NABARD
Mr Subodh Shukla, Former DDG, NIC
1755-1800 Delegates re-assemble for SKOCH Awards in Plenary Hall
1800-1900 Valedictory and SKOCH Award
1800-1810

Jury Presentation

1810-1855 SKOCH Award
1855-1900 Group Photograph

SKOCH Order-of-Merit Investiture Ceremony 2019

Mavalankar Hall Speaker Hall Deputy Speaker Hall

Valedictory Session & SKOCH Award 2019 Investiture Ceremony

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