Development Studies Unit
Development Studies Unit has been engaged in conducting research in a context of challenges and opportunities of economic reforms process and globalisation. Its major focus is to explore policy alternatives through structural transformation of the economy particularly of the predominantly agrarian societies. It is also involved in developing a policy framework for rationalisation of diversion of agriculture land to industrial and urban use. The focus has been to capture the impact of the shift from command to market economy through reorientation of existing institutional framework, research in agriculture, technological inputs, non-farm activities, culture of governance, impact on vulnerable groups like small and marginal peasants, landless labourers, women and migrant labourers.A number of studies have been conducted on issues like measurement of rural poverty, rural debt, pattern of income distribution, profitability of agriculture, food security, form and extent of subsidies, diversification of economy. The faculty of the unit also acts as an informal think tank providing inputs to various government departments for formulating economic and social policies. In the recent past, the unit has completed and published studies on Agro-Industry development in India, Rural Debt in Punjab, Commercial Dairy Farming in Punjab and Diversification of cropping pattern in Punjab etc. The focus of this unit is mainly North Western region of India i.e. Punjab, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh and Jammu and Kashmir.
Director Research
H.S. Shergill
(Development Studies)
Prof. H. S. Shergill is Professor of Economics working with Institute for Development and Communication (IDC) as Head of Development Studies. He has 30 years of Research and Training experience with the Department of Economics, Panjab University, Chandigarh.
