Punjab–Kerala Development Conference Concludes at TIET

The Thapar School of Liberal Arts and Sciences (TSLAS), Thapar Institute of Engineering and Technology (TIET), in collaboration with the Gulati Institute of Finance and Taxation, Kerala, hosted a three-day conference exploring the evolving development trajectories of Punjab and Kerala and their wider implications for India’s economy. Held from August 24–26, the conference brought together leading academics, policymakers, economists, and practitioners for discussions on development, public policy, sustainability, and inclusive growth.

The conference commenced with an inaugural address by Professor S. Mahendra Dev, Chairperson of the Economic Advisory Council to the Prime Minister. The inaugural session also featured an address by Manpreet Singh Badal, former Finance Minister of Punjab.

Professor Nagesh Kumar, Director of the Institute for Studies in Industrial Development and a member of the Reserve Bank of India’s Monetary Policy Committee, delivered the keynote address. Moderated by Professor R. Nagaraj, formerly of the Indira Gandhi Institute of Development Research, the session examined the distinct development experiences of Punjab and Kerala while highlighting the need for a growth framework that balances economic progress with sustainability and social inclusion.
 

Exploring Development, Public Policy and Society

The first day of the conference focused on a wide range of issues including fiscal federalism, public finance, human development, agriculture, and healthcare. Discussions also examined the changing nature of work, with sessions addressing automation, artificial intelligence, labour markets, and the growing significance of the care economy.

The second day expanded the conversation to migration and diaspora, education and employment, innovation in the creative economy, poverty, and structural transformation. Special lectures were delivered by Professor C. Veeramani of the Centre for Development Studies, Kerala, and Professor Upinder Sawhney, formerly of Panjab University.

A plenary session organised by the Institute for Human Development explored the impact of AI and automation on employment and examined the emerging role of the care economy. The session was chaired by Professor Alakh N. Sharma, Director of the Institute for Human Development, and featured contributions from Professor Dev Nathan, Professor Balwant Singh Mehta, and Professor D. Narayana of the Kerala State Planning Board.

The final day turned its focus towards monetary policy, credit, investment, industrialisation, capital expenditure, fiscal federalism, and structural transformation. The sessions brought together scholars and experts from institutions including IIT Bombay, the Central University of Punjab, O.P. Jindal Global University, IIM Ahmedabad, and other leading institutions from Punjab and Kerala.
 

Reflecting on the Way Forward

The conference concluded with a valedictory session chaired by Seema Bansal, Vice-Chairperson of the Punjab Development Commission. Professor K.J. Joseph, Director of the Gulati Institute of Finance and Taxation, delivered the closing address, titled “Feeding the Nation, Filling the Reserves: Punjab, Kerala, and the Unpaid Debts of Indian Fiscal Federalism.”

Bringing together diverse perspectives from academia, policy, and research, the conference provided a platform for examining the developmental journeys of Punjab and Kerala while engaging with some of the larger questions shaping India’s economic and social future. The discussions underscored the importance of informed policy, inclusive development, and interdisciplinary dialogue in addressing emerging challenges and opportunities.