About
“Intersections of Democracy: Federalism, Finances & Development” will convene leaders, experts, and practitioners to deliberate on how India’s democratic institutions are evolving to meet the challenges of the 21st century. The conference will explore the dynamic interplay between federal structures, fiscal policies, and development priorities, emphasizing their role in shaping inclusive and sustainable growth.
As India charts its path towards 2047, questions of financial resilience, equitable development, and cooperative federalism become ever more critical. This dialogue offers a platform for sharing perspectives, best practices, and policy innovations that can strengthen governance and empower communities. By bringing together diverse stakeholders from across government, academia, and industry, the summit seeks to foster meaningful conversations and actionable insights for building a stronger, more resilient democracy.
Agenda
Arrival, Tea, Meet and Greet
Intersections of Democracy - Federalism, Finance & Development
Welcome & Opening Remarks: Mr Sameer Kochhar, Chairman, SKOCH Group
Summary: Mr. Sameer Kochhar opened the 101st SKOCH Summit stressing federalism as key to Viksit Bharat. He highlighted democracy as a negotiation between center, states, and local bodies. Citing the GST Council as a best practice, he recommended stronger intergovernmental dialogue, rationalized schemes, and institutions like a permanent Finance Commission and National Fiscal Council to strengthen state capacity and drive inclusive growth.*
View Full Transcript
Keynote: Prof S Mahendra Dev, Chairman, Economic Advisory Council to the Prime Minister (EAC-PM)
Summary: Prof S Mahendra Dev highlighted the role of states in driving Viksit Bharat through growth, inclusion, and sustainability. He stressed tackling regional disparities, strengthening state finances, and deepening cooperative federalism for India’s development.*
View Full Transcript
Prof R Kavita Rao, Director, National Institute of Public Finance and Policy (NIPFP)
Summary: Prof R Kavita Rao discussed financing growth within India’s federal framework, noting that while states spend the bulk of public funds, their revenues remain limited. She traced key tax reforms, highlighted challenges in raising the tax-to-GDP ratio, and stressed the need to broaden the tax base, improve compliance, and build public trust through better communication on how revenues are used.*
View Full Transcript
Dr M Ramachandran, Distinguished Fellow, SKOCH Development Foundation and Former Secretary, Government of India
Summary: Dr. M. Ramachandran highlighted that true development begins at the grassroots, echoing Prime Minister Modi’s vision of Sabka Vikas. He stressed that progress in villages through education, skills, health, and opportunities empowers communities and strengthens the nation. Drawing from leaders like N.T. Rama Rao, he emphasized uplifting backward classes and ensuring dignity, opportunity, and rightful participation in governance.*
View Full Transcript
Mr Rohan Kochhar, Founder, SKOCH Law Offices, Founder, SKOCH Law Offices
Summary: Mr Rohan Kochhar marked the 101st SKOCH Summit as an auspicious milestone, highlighting SKOCH’s role in shaping responsible regulation for India’s online gaming sector. He cautioned against blanket prohibition under the Online Gaming Act 2025, stressing that regulation—not prohibition—better protects consumers, safeguards revenues, and fosters innovation. Proposing a co-regulatory model, risk-based classification, and continuous stakeholder consultation, he urged for balanced implementation that respects federal principles and withstands constitutional scrutiny.
View Full Transcript
Lunch in the Honour of the Awardees & Participants
Prof S Mahendra Dev
Chairman, Economic Advisory Council to the Prime Minister (EAC-PM)
He served as Director and Vice Chancellor of IGIDR, Mumbai (2010–2022) and earlier chaired the Commission for Agricultural Costs and Prices. He was Vice Chairman of IFPRI’s Board, a member of the National Statistical Commission, and Director of CESS, Hyderabad. He has 150 publications, 23 books, and has advised global agencies and Indian government committees. He has received several awards, including the Malcolm Adisesaiah Award.
View MoreProf R Kavita Rao
Director, National Institute of Public Finance and Policy (NIPFP)
Her research interests include the design and implementation of Goods and Sales Tax (GST) in India, methodology for assessing the comprehensive impact of various tax exemptions on the economy, sectoral interlinkages and their implications in planning a growth strategy.
View MoreDr M Ramachandran
Distinguished Fellow, SKOCH Development Foundation and Former Secretary, Government of India
As Secretary, Urban Development, he spearheaded the JNNURM. Earlier as Chief Secretary, Uttaranchal, he was identified as the “Infrastructure Man”, where he took several new initiatives, including public-private partnership projects, lining up $1 billion Asian Development Bank assistance for the Power, Road and Urban Sectors, $120 million World Bank assistance for the Drinking Water sector and so on.
View MoreMr Sameer Kochhar
Chairman, SKOCH Group
Reforms historian and author of best-seller ModiNomics, Sameer Kochhar is Chairman, SKOCH Group. He is a passionate advocate of social, digital and financial inclusion and is a foremost expert on governance and inclusive growth. His work has been acclaimed globally and endorsed by Mr Narendra Modi, Mr M Venkaiah Naidu, Dr Manmohan Singh, Mr Arun Jaitley, Mr P Chidambaram, Mr Yashwant Sinha, Dr C Rangarajan and Dr Montek Singh Ahluwalia and so on. In his thinking and writings and activities, his profound admiration for India's economic reforms and in extension, those outstanding personalities who strive to make these reforms more meaningful and broad-based comes out clear and unambiguous.
View MoreMr Rohan Kochhar
Founder, SKOCH Law Offices
Rohan Kochhar stands at the intersection of economics, social science, and law, leveraging his multidisciplinary expertise to drive impactful change in public policy, emerging technologies, and ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) initiatives. As the founder of SKOCH Law Offices, Rohan has built a boutique law firm renowned for its deep domain knowledge and innovative approach to legal challenges.
View More| S.No | Participating Organisations |
|---|---|
| 1 | Animal Husbandry Department, Government of Uttar Pradesh |
| 2 | Backwards Classes & Minorities Welfare Department, Government of Madhya Pradesh |
| 3 | Backwards Classes Welfare Department, Government of Andhra Pradesh |
| 4 | Citizen Resources Information Department, Government of Haryana |
| 5 | Commissionerate of Panchayat Raj & Rural Development, Government of Andhra Pradesh |
| 6 | Crime Investigation Department, Government of Maharashtra |
| 7 | Department of Fisheries, Government of Himachal Pradesh |
| 8 | Department of Fisheries, Government of Tripura |
| 9 | Department of Legal Metrology, Government of Goa |
| 10 | Department of Mines & Geology, Government of Andhra Pradesh |
| 11 | Department of Women and Child Development, Government of Goa |
| 12 | Directorate of Employment and Training, Government of Bihar |
| 13 | Directorate of Horticulture, Department of Agriculture, Government of Bihar |
| 14 | Directorate of Social Welfare & Tribal Affair, Mizoram |
| 15 | Directorate of Sports and Youth Affairs, Government of Goa |
| 16 | Directorate Sainik Kalyan, Uttarakhand |
| 17 | Information Technology Department, Government of Assam |
| 18 | Prison Administration and Correctional Service, Government of Uttarakhand |
| 19 | Project Management Unit, Directorate of Technical Education, Government of Goa |
| 20 | Prosecution Department, Government of Rajasthan |
| 21 | State Mission for Clean Ganga, Department of Namami Gange and Rural Water Supply, Government of Uttar Pradesh |
| 22 | Uttarakhand Awas Evam Vikas Parishad |
| 23 | Uttarakhand Housing and Urban Development Authority |
| 24 | District Administration Ganderbal |
| 25 | District Administration Hingoli |
| 26 | District Administration of Nagapattinam |
| 27 | District Administration Udhampur |
| 28 | District Adminstartion Chhatarpur |
| 29 | District Adminstartion Sundargarh |
| 30 | District Adminstartion Tirupati |
| 31 | Dr Y.S.R. Horticultural University |
| 32 | Energy Management Centre - Kerala |
| 33 | Finance Department, Government of Goa |
| 34 | Gujarat Pollution Control Board |
| 35 | HLL Lifecare Limited |
| 36 | Inspector General of Registrations and Superintendent of Stamps, Government of Madhya Pradesh |
| 37 | Jal Jeevan Mission, Government of Assam |
| 38 | Kadapa Municipal Coroporation |
| 39 | Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation |
| 40 | Maharashtra Industrial Development Corporation (MIDC) |
| 41 | Municipal Council Badwah |
| 42 | Nagar Palika Parishad Vikasnagar |
| 43 | Odisha State Handloom WCS Ltd |
| 44 | Panchayathi Raj & Rural Development, District Panchayati Raj Office, Tehri Garhwal |
| 45 | Shabari Adivasi Vitta Va Vikas Mahamandal Maryadit Nashik |
| 46 | Southern Power Distribution Company of Telangana Limited |
| 47 | State Mission Management Unit, AMRUT |
| 48 | Swachha Andhra Corporation |
| 49 | Wellington Cantonment Board |
| 50 | Zilla Panchayat Koppal |
| 51 | Zilla Parishad Amravati |
| 52 | Zilla Praja Parishad SPSR Nellore District |
| 53 | Agriculture Technology Management Agency, Agriculture Department, District Washim |
| 54 | Cantonment Board Belgaum |
| 55 | Cantonment Board Jutogh |
| 56 | Cantonment Board Nainital |
| 57 | Cantonment Board Roorkee |
| 58 | DCF Amravati, Forest Department, Maharashtra |