The Indian Institute of Public Administration (IIPA) Panjab and Chandigarh (UT) Regional Branch and the Department of Public Administration, Panjab University, Chandigarh jointly organized a Regional Conference on the Theme Paper of Members’ 2017 Annual Conference of IIPA titled, "Demonetisation and its Impact". Professor B.S. Ghuman, Vice-Chancellor, Punjabi University, Patiala and Honorary Secretary IIPA Regional Branch while introducing the theme opined that demonetization has been a part of mainstream discourse among academicians, policy makers and politicians. The differences in terms of views on demonetization are due to diverse nature of methodologies used for assessing the impact of demonetization on a short term and long term basis. The Regional Conference in this regard shall discuss evolving methodologies to assess the impact of demonetization. Professor Ramanjit Kaur Johal, Associate Director, Research Promotion Cell and Chairperson, Department of Public Administration, PU, Chandigarh introduced the Key Note Speaker, Professor Upinder Sawhney, Chairperson, Department of Economics, Panjab University, Chandigarh. Professor Sawhney shared the major findings of the theme paper such as demonetization strengthening India’s institutional framework by reducing tax avoidance and corruption, resulting in efficiency gains through greater formalization of economic and financial activity, helping in broadening the tax base and expanding usage of the financial system. She further pointed out that the data brought out by the RBI has reported that 99% of the declared illegal tenders have come back to the central bank. Therefore the impact of demonetization on corruption seems to be minimal. The agriculture and MSMEs have suffered on account of disruption created in the economic chain. The lecture was followed by observations and questions. Dr R. Kumar, Mr. Sohail, Dr Ranjeet Singh, Ms Seema, Dr Namit, Ms. Mridul, Ms Amanjot, Professor Ramanjit Kaur Johal and Dr Jawinder Kaur participated in the discussion. A large number of faculty members, members of the IIPA and research scholars and students attended the Regional Conference. Shri B.S. Ojha IAS (Retd.) Chairman of the Regional Branch presided over the regional Conference and also actively participated in the discussion. Sh. Ojha during his presidential remarks opined that things will improve in future as the difficulties being faced will be sorted out by the system. Dr Bhawna Gupta, Assistant Professor, Department of Public Administration, PU, Chandigarh proposed the vote of thanks |