Centre for Socio-economic and Environmental Studies (CSES) Kochi, in association with Centre for Budget Studies (CBS), CUSAT, and Gulati Institute of Finance and Taxation (GIFT), organised a lecture to commemorate Prof. K.K. George who passed away on the 11th of August, 2022. Prof. George was a renowned economist and public finance specialist. The lecture was held on the 1st of October, 2022 at the Seminar Complex, Cochin University of Science & Technology (CUSAT).
Prof. Pinaki Chakraborty, Former Director, National Institute of Public Finance and Policy (NIPFP), New Delhi, delivered the lecture on “Rethinking Fiscal Rules in the Times of Uncertainties.” Sri. K.N. Balagopal, Hon’ble Minister of Finance, Government of Kerala delivered the inaugural address. The programme was presided over by Prof. K.N. Madhusoodanan, Hon’ble Vice Chancellor, CUSAT. Prof. M.K. Sukumaran Nair (Honorary Director, Centre for Budget Studies, CUSAT), Prof. K.J. Joseph (Director, GIFT), Dr. Parvathy Sunaina (Associate Fellow, CSES), Dr. N. Ajith Kumar (Director, CSES), also spoke on the occasion.
Prof. George’s contribution to Centre-State fiscal relations and the Kerala Development path is well known. His iconic research work, “Limits to Kerala Model of Development”, is a book all students of Kerala Economy are familiar with. His other major book was Essays in Public Finance (along with Prof IS Gulati).
A Silver Jubilee commemorative document of CSES was also released at the event. The document chronicling 25 years of CSES, will remain as a tribute to Prof. George, the founding Chairperson of CSES. The book was released by Sri. K.N. Balagopal, Hon’ble Minister of Finance, Government of Kerala, by handing it over to Prof. K.N. Madhusoodanan, Hon’ble Vice Chancellor, CUSAT.