The Coronavirus pandemic and recession have significantly affected the state of public finances in an unprecedented manner. The world has started to embrace the new normal and has been executing the required action, mostly withering away from the business as usual norms given the uncertainty and emergency support needed. Even before the pandemic, progress towards accountable public finances had been not impressive across the world, and these extraordinary times have undoubtedly exacerbated these pre-existing challenges. In this light, addressing issues of public finances especially amidst the current pandemic, and recommending and implementing actionable solutions should assume paramount importance. 

With the above background, the #IMPRI Center for the Study of Finance and Economic (CSFE) is carrying out a discussion series called The State of Public Finance – #TowardsAccountability to engage with experts on issues of public finance. The experts share their insights on the challenges and way forward in achieving accountable and effective governance of public finances for each level of the government and society. The series explores the role of governance, corporations, civil society, the populace, and other actors in realizing an accountable, transparent, equitable, and effective governance.

The #WebPolicyTalks are conducted via Zoom webinars and streamed live on Facebook. The event video is available on the IMPRI YouTube Channel, thereafter. A recording of the session is also available on the #WebPolicyTalk: Live at IMPRI podcast, on Spotify and Google Podcasts.

The audience is composed mostly of policymakers, practitioners, researchers, faculty, and University and college students across India and other countries. 

The outcome of the deliberations is disseminated through various social media platforms and media outlets and is aimed at contributing to the future courses of action for policymakers, practitioners, researchers, and civil society organizations.

Below is the list of #TowardsAccountability events, along with links to the relevant details:

#TowardsAccountability – Events

Panel Discussion
The GST Conundrum: State of India’s indirect taxation system in the times of COVID-19 Pandemic and Recession
September 11, 2020 | 4:30 PM
Panelists: Atul Sarma | R Kavita Rao | Rajeev Gowda | TK Arun | Suranjali Tandon | Arjun Kumar
Details: Event Page | Event Report
Watch: Youtube | Facebook Live
Listen: Spotify | Google Podcasts
Media Coverage:  Youth Ki Awaaz| Counterview.net

Special Lecture
Administrative Reforms towards AtmaNirbhar Bharat
October 14, 2020 | 4:00 PM
Speaker: Amita Singh
Panelists: M. H. Suryanarayana | Nivedita P. Haran | Poonam Munjal | Arjun Kumar
Details: Event Page | Event Report
Watch: Youtube | Facebook Live
Listen: Spotify | Google Podcasts
Media Coverage: Youth Ki Awaaz | Counterview.net | Indrastra Global | India Water Portal

Panel Discussion
Budget 2021 for #AtmaNirbharKrishi towards New India
January 18, 2021 | 5:00 PM
Panelists: Arjun Kumar | Neelam Patel | C S C Sekhar | S P Sharma | Avinash Kishore | Ranveer Nagaich | Surabhi Mittal
Details: Event Page | Event Report
Watch: Youtube | Facebook Live
Listen: Spotify | Google Podcasts
Media Coverage: Youth Ki Awaaz

Panel Discussion
Pandemic and Union Budget 2021: Implementation and the way forward
February 8, 2021 | 6:00 PM
Panelists: Arun Kumar | Jyotsna Jha | Malini Chakravarty | Jyoti Chandiramani | Arjun Kumar
Details: Event Page | Event Report
Watch: Youtube | Facebook live
Listen: Spotify | Google Podcasts
Media Coverage: Youth Ki Awaaz| Counterview.org

Special Lecture
Budget 2021 & Economic Reforms 2.0 towards New India
February 9, 2021 | 6:00 PM
Speaker: Dhiraj Nayyar
Panelists: Atul Sarma | Pankhuri Dutt | Arjun Kumar
Details: Event Page | Event Report
Watch: Youtube | Facebook Live
Listen: Spotify | Google Podcasts
Media Coverage: Youth Ki Awaaz

Are We in Good Hands? Is Tax Administration in India Following Good International Practices?
April 22, 2021 | 6:00 PM
Speaker: Munawer Khwaja 
Panelists: Atul Sarma  | Ashok Sinha | Indira Iyer
Details: Event Page | Event Report
Watch: Youtube | Facebook Live
Listen: Spotify | Google Podcasts
Media Coverage: Youth Ki Awaaz

Tax Reforms and the Intention of the Government
May 10, 2021 | 3:00 PM
Speaker: Ashok Sinha
Panelists: Atul Sarma 
Details: Event Page | Event Report
Watch: Youtube | Facebook Live
Listen: Spotify | Google Podcasts
Media Coverage:

#TowardsAccountability – Team

Also see our other discussion series: