Chairman of the 16th Finance Commission Arvind Panagariya on Tuesday (August 11, 2026) encouraged Kerala to make “good policy choices” to boost economic activity. Dr. Panagariya also pointed out that the State should exploit the full potential of the Vizhinjam international seaport. On national-level reforms, Dr. Panagariya reiterated a need to drive reforms by privatising public sector enterprises and public sector banks. Key challenges to urbanisation include the difficulties involved in purchasing urban land for businesses, land acquisition, building by-laws, unused unproductive land, land conversion rules, Dr. Panagariya said. The event also featured a fire-side chat between Dr. Panagariya and Srikanth Viswanathan, CEO of Bengaluru-based Janaagrahah.