Sapatgram College held webinar on issues related to India's rural economy

A CORRESPONDENT

DHUBRI: The Economics Department of Sapatgram College, collaborating with the IQAC of the college, presented a lively and relevant webinar recently connecting academicians, resource persons and participants from the country and abroad. Eminent personalities from reputed universities and institutions shared their views on the burning issues related to Indian rural economy.

The session began with the welcome address by Principal of Sapatgram College, Dr. R. P. Singh, followed by the inaugural speech presented by Prof. Jogen Ch. Kalita, Professor of Zoology and former Director, UGC-HRD Centre, Gauhati University.

In his inaugural speech, Prof. Kalita stressed the necessity of sustainability along with growth of economy. While explaining the objectives of the webinar, Dr. GK Saha, organizing secretary and coordinator, IQAC of Sapatgram College, spoke about rural India being characterized by governance gap and informality.

The technical session began with the presentation of Prof. Minakshi Rajeev, Chair Professor, RBI – Centre for Economic Studies and Policy, ISEC, Bangalore. While deliberating on the theme, she remained confined to her arguments on the fact that credit had remained elusive to the poor.

The next keynote speaker, Dr. Subhasish Dey, Senior Research Fellow, Economics Department, University of Warwick, UK, carried the arguments further by questioning the validity of policy designed for Atma Nirbhar Bharat Abhiyan by putting the cart before the cattle. He stated that the tricky plan of the government focused on the allotment of around 10 per cent of GDP in the form of credits and other benefits to the rural poor but the real amount which can possibly reach to these people stands at around 1.27 per cent of the GDP.

Prof. Lopomudra Banarjee, Faculty, Bennington College, Vermont, USA, further carried the discussion and highlighted how wages are to be determined in agriculture under pandemic productivity.

Prof. Saumya Chakraborti, Head of the Economics Department, Visva Bharati and Honorary Director, Agro Economic Research Centre (Government of India), Shantiniketan, focused on petty production in rural India. He mentioned some exigencies like physical and virtual clustering of petty workers. Dr. T. K. Bahadur, Head of the Department of Economics, Bongaigaon College, moderated the session with the consolidation of the opinions presented by the eminent speakers.

Also Read: Webinar on Chemical Sciences held at Sadiya College

Also Watch: