6th Bhabananda Deka Memorial Lecture - Niti Aayog, Co-operative Federalism and the Economy of Assam

Lecture on Niti Aayog delivered | The Assam Tribune

GUWAHATI, April 27, 2015 — The Niti Aayog emphasises co-operative federalism. It wants more funds to be routed through the Finance Commission. A constitutionally designated body rather than centrally sponsored schemes (CSS). This was the observation made by economist and former Principal of Cotton College Prof Dilip Kumar Barua. He was delivering the 6th Bhabananda Deka Memorial Lecture at Pragjyotish College here on April 25, 2015.

The lecture titled 'Niti Aayog, Co-operative Federalism and the Economy of Assam was organised by the Department of Economics of the College under the aegis of its Economic Planning Forum. said a press release. Prof Barua stated further that the Niti Aayog. which replaced the 65-year old Planning Commission from January 1, 2015, is for indicative planning with no centrally determined targets but only general goals and objectives as indicative of general goals of planning through programmes like
Swach Bharat, Make in India, Skill India, Inclusive Growth. etc.

Prof Barua began his lecture with a simile, moments after the devastating earthquake struck northern South Asia hitting Nepal the hardest, that compared the far-reaching changes in the India's planning structure and process as akin to the 'earthquake economics' of the 1930s epoch-making changes brought about by legendary economist John Maynard Keynes in his theory providing solution to the Great Depression which had afflict-ed the western economies then.

"Look East and Act East policies should not make Assam and the North-East mere bystanders and they should take advantage of the new regime's policy of enhancing financial autonomy of the states. States require good governance and work culture for success in the new paradigm of healthy cooper-ation and not political con-frontation with the centre," concluded Prof Barua.

Prior to the start of the lecture, floral tributes were paid on the photo of Late Bhabananda Deka, Dr Ram Chandra Deka, former Vice-Principal, Pragjyotish College and former Principal ADP College, Nagaon spoke a few words on the rich qualities of Late Deka. Late Deka was the third Principal of Pragjyotish College.

Atanu Kumar Chow-dhury. Head of the Econom-ics Department. Presided over the meeting and gave the welcome address.. Pallabi Sarmah, Principal in-charge briefly addressed the gathering. Dr Ira Das of the Economics Department introduced Prof Barua. Later, Prof Dilip Kumar Banta released a report on the socio-economic survey conducted by the department under the aegis of the Economic Planning Forum on the Clay Artisans of Salmon village of Majuli in Jorhat District in the first week of March. Anirban Das of 6th Semester made a power point presentation on the survey and the report, said the press release.