In collaboration with Forum of Federations, Ottawa, Canada, the Institute hosted a conference on Sub-National Tax Powers in Developing Country Federations to include scholars and policymakers from Federations such as Brazil, Nigeria, Argentina, and Mexico.

The conference brought together key policy advisors in the Central government along with academic experts to discuss issues of inflation exercising both researchers and policymakers alike.

The impact of education on labour market outcomes is analysed using data from various Rounds of the National Sample Survey of India. Occupational destination is examined using both multinomial logit analyses and structural dynamic discrete choice modeling. The latter approach involves the use of a novel approach to constructing a pseudo-panel from repeated cross-section data, and is particularly useful as a means of evaluating policy impacts over time. We find that policy to expand educational provision leads initially to an increased take up of education, and in the longer term leads to an increased propensity for workers to enter non-manual employment.

The NIPFP, in collaboration with the Australian National University, organised an international conference on Federalism and Reform in Asia on December 1-2, 2010. Introductory and welcome addresses were delivered by Peter Drysdale, Emeritus Professor, Australian National University, and Head EABER and SABER and M. Govinda Rao, Director, NIPFP. The opening address was delivered by C. Rangarajan while the keynote address was given by Vijay Kelkar.

The objective of this conference was to encourage this sector of innovation in India. The conference was inaugurated by Pranab Mukherjee Hon’ble Finance Minister, Government of India. The plenary lecture was delivered by A. Michael Spence (Nobel Laureate) of New York University. Opening remarks were given by Kaushik Basu, Chief Economic Advisor, and the welcome address by Ashok Chawla, Secretary Finance. M. Govinda Rao delivered the vote of thanks.

Besides NIPFP faculty and senior academics, Sales Tax, Commercial Tax Commissioners, Central and State Government officials, and tax consultants participated in the workshop. Sunil Mitra, Revenue Secretary, Government of India inaugurated the workshop and Sijbren Cnossen, eminent expert on VAT from Erasmus University delivered the keynote address.

The seminar analysed the issues at stake for developing countries especially India in the context of current international negotiations on climate change.

The workshop was sponsored by the World Bank. The participants included senior academics, senior officials including financial advisors of various central ministries, officials of CGA and C&AG as wellas state governments and members of NIPFP faculty. Chairman, Economic Advisory Committee to the PM and Chairman NIPFP, C. Rangarajan inaugurated the workshop and Vinod Rai, C&AG delivered the valedictory addres.

Conducted at the Institute premises by NIPFP in collaboration with the Ministry of Human Resource Development on June 2, 2010. This was a first step towards preparation of a M&P Manual. Representatives of some state governments and experts in the area of education were invited. Subhash Khuntia, Joint Secretary, MHRD delivered the workshop objectives.

University and College Teachers

The conference discussed various taxes imposed on tobacco products and the issue of progressivity of the tax structure. In this context its consumption and effect on health were also analysed.