Discussions on India's Economic Policy Mark the Second Day of the 107th IEA

Jaipur, The second day of the 107th Annual International Conference of the Indian Economic Association (IEA), held at Apex University, Jaipur, witnessed a series of pivotal technical sessions. Experts engaged in detailed discussions on themes such as India's economic policy, the impact of artificial intelligence (AI), agricultural profitability, and skill development. The conference, organized by the IEA, brought together renowned economists, academicians, and policymakers from India and abroad.

India's Economic Policy in Focus

The day began with a special session dedicated to the economic policies and decisions of Bharat Ratna and former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee. The session explored the historical context, effectiveness, and future outlook of his policies, emphasizing their transformative impact on India's economy.

Following this session, the IEA's annual meeting was conducted in the boardroom of Apex University, Jaipur, where members deliberated on future plans and strategies.

Artificial Intelligence and its Socio-Economic Impact

The morning session featured a comprehensive discussion on the influence of AI on the economy and society. The session was chaired by Prof. Keya Sen Gupta (Professor of Economics, IIM), with co-chair Dr. Aarti Srivastava (NIEP, New Delhi) contributing virtually.

Prominent speakers included Prof. Ghanshyam N. Singh (Patna), Prof. Yashveer Tyagi (former professor, Lucknow University), Prof. Rajeev Upadhyay (Rajasthan University, Jaipur), Prof. Peter Gerhard (FHDW University of Applied Sciences, Germany), Prof. Tapas Mishra (University of Southampton, UK), Prof. Ravinder Raina (University of Cape Town, South Africa), and Prof. Hansa Jain (MG Kashi Vidyapith, Varanasi). Discussions centered on AI's role in economic growth, labor markets, and its long-term societal implications. The session was moderated by Dr. J.S. Sindhu (Chennai), with Dr. Sachin Gupta (Mohanlal Sukhadia University, Udaipur) serving as discussant.

Enhancing Agricultural Profitability

The afternoon session focused on policies and models for improving agricultural profitability in India. Chaired by Prof. Charan Singh (IIM), with co-chair Prof. (Dr.) Deepak Sable (IEA Regional Coordinator), the session included contributions from Prof. Pramod Kumar (Bangalore), Prof. H.R. Sharma (former Pro Vice-Chancellor, CUHP), Prof. Sukhpal Singh (IIM Ahmedabad), Prof. Lakhwinder Gill (Punjabi University), and Prof. D.M. Diwakar (Patna). The discussions revolved around addressing the challenges faced by Indian agriculture and devising sustainable solutions. Dr. Rishikesh K.B. acted as the discussant, while Dr. M.G. Mallika (Kozhikode) moderated the session.

Atal Bihari Vajpayee Memorial Lecture

An evening special session featured the Atal Bihari Vajpayee Memorial Lecture, which shed light on his diplomatic, political, and economic vision. The session was chaired by Prof. A.P. Pandey (former professor and head, Department of Economics, BHU, Varanasi), with co-chair Dr. Deepak Selar (IEA, Maharashtra). Speakers included Prof. N.M.P. Verma (Vice-Chancellor, B.R. Ambedkar Central University, Lucknow), Prof. S.K. Pandey (Center for Russian and Central Asian Studies), and Dr. Ashutosh Pant (academic and national philosophy expert). Prof. Praveen Sharma (Jaipur) served as the session's moderator.

Skill Development and Entrepreneurship in the Modern Economy

The concluding session focused on skill development and entrepreneurship growth, extending from informal to tribal sectors. Chaired by Prof. Shri Prakash (former Professor/Dean, New Delhi) and co-chaired by Dr. Shashi Jain (IEA, Chandigarh), the session featured insights from Prof. Dimple Vij (Principal, AKP Degree College, Khurja), Prof. Amitabh Kundu (former Professor, JNU), Dr. Ajit Pathak (former Executive Director, IOC), and Prof. Sharat Malik (RBI Chair Professor, Indian Institute of Corporate Affairs). Dr. Neha Paliwal served as the discussant, while Prof. Nandita (Prayagraj) moderated the session.

A Platform for Thoughtful Dialogue

The successful second day of the conference witnessed active participation from IEA members, students, and researchers. It provided a vital platform for meaningful dialogue on global and national economic policies.

As the second day concluded, the IEA took steps toward fostering more impactful discussions on global economic challenges and India's policy framework.