Political economist emphasises on free trade and welfare society
Tribune News Service
Amritsar, January 19
Political economist and vice-president of International Programmes Atlas Network, a US-based non-profit organisation, Dr Tom Palmer addressed several educationists and students at SSSS College of Commerce for Women and Amritsar College of Engineering here today. The topic of his address was “Looking at free trade and economic freedom as an effective solution towards peace in the region”.
Palmer is in city on the invitation of Amritsar Policy Group, an independent organisation working to sensitise individuals, especially youth, on public policy issues. While holding discussions on Amritsar’s much anticipated city bus service and transit system, he also released a report on “Amritsar city bus: A year in review”, drafted by Rishi Kochhar, president, Amritsar Policy Group. Highlighting the importance of the benefits of free trade, Palmer said free markets were a win-win situation for the rich and the poor, strengthening the world wide economic freedom movement. He cited example of Nepal and Pakistan, where closed markets were responsible for an economic crisis and lapse. He said, “India can ensure strong economic ties with its neighbours China and Pakistan as trade will boost growth and economies.
The countries will look each other as strategic trade partners and not rivals.” Speaking on the topic “Life death and economics: Why we should care about economic freedom?, he explained how economic freedom was a key to greater opportunity and improved quality of life. He also emphasised on the open trade policies in India and suggested more business friendly laws for revenue generation.
More than 400 students of the college attended the event. Presenting qualitative analysis of the city bus service, Rishi Kochar, said, “Commuters are facing harassment everyday with delays in transportation, shabby infrastructure and ineffective e-collection system of tickets. The city bus service has not exactly been an easy ride for both, corporation as well as commuters.”
