Mysuru: Mysore Open Forum has organised a talk on “Universal Basic Income – Answer to Poverty?” by Prof. V.K. Nataraj, former Director, Madras Institute of Development Studies, Chennai, at 6 pm on Saturday (Dec.21) at Kalpa Kshetra auditorium, 581/1, Vijayanagar 4th Stage, 1st Phase, Mysuru [Mob:94498-19536]. 

The talk will address the issue of alleviating poverty by adopting Universal Basic Income as an alternate welfare measure. As many welfare schemes such as subsidised essential goods and services have faced problems of distribution; accountability and efficiency, the Universal Basic Income concept has been thought of as a more efficient means of enabling the beneficiary of availing required essentials using his/her discretion in a more   direct way. 

While the proposal looks attractive it also presents problems on closer analysis. Will its adoption mean that schemes such as public distribution, subsidised medical and health services and education, may get curtailed in terms of coverage as also quality? Prof.Nataraj will talk about various aspects and issues involved.

Prof. Nataraj, M Litt.(Oxford) has served as Professor, Institute of Development Studies (UoM) and as Registrar, University of Mysore. He has been a Research Fellow at the University of York, UK and Senior Research Officer, National Institute for Training in Industrial Engineering, Mumbai. He is a Member of the Board of Trustees of the Malcolm and Elizabeth Adiseshiah Trust.

Dedicated to the field of Development Studies, he has contributed articles to many journals and magazines and delivered lectures at many well-known Institutions and Universities.