The Institute for Human Development, with support from the International Labour Organisation, organized a roundtable on Universal Basic Income
Leading experts of the subject participated in the round table. The roundtable was inaugurated by Dr. Bibek Debroy, Member, NITI Aayog and the keynote address was delivered on behalf of Dr. Arvind Subramanian, Chief Economic Advisor, Government of India.
The Institute for Human Development, New Delhi, is a leading research Institute in the country headed by Professor Alakh Sharma. Introducing the Conference, Professor Sharma said, "The concept of Universal Basic Income as alternative to present approaches (of poverty alleviation) has become a major subject of debate in the discourse on inclusive development strategies. It is being thought to be a possible effective measure to tackle unemployment and inequality."
Renowned academics, policy makers, government officials, and dignitaries graced the event. These included, N. K. Singh, Former Member of the Planning Commission; Bibek Debroy, Member, NITI Ayog; Pranab Bardhan, leading economist; Nitin Desai, Former Under-Secretary at the United Nations. Four Technical sessions were held at the event in which the various debates and proposals surrounding Universal Basic Income were deliberated upon by the panelists. The overview of the deliberations was presented by Prof. Sudipto Mundle at the Concluding Session of the Round Table event.
The inaugural address by Dr. Bibek Debroy, set the tone of the discussions for the daylong event. He elaborated on the social and economic constituents of UB and the pros and cons of this form of social security in his address.
A keynote address on behalf of Dr. Arvind Subramanian was delivered at the session on the Economic Survey Proposal. His keynote speech discussed the feasibility and fiscal aspects of UBI and how it can be adjusted with the already existing welfare schemes in the country.
Professor Sudipto Mundle (Emeritus Professor, National Institute of Public Finance and Policy, also Member of the IHD Board of Governors) deliberated upon the conjecture on UBI that was generated at the Round Table, further fueling the debates upon this social security scheme. He concluded his address by stressing on the importance of development that is inclusive.