Hi Everyone,
Happy to share key highlights from the January.
1. The Bengaluru Debates: Does Bengaluru Offer A Healthy Life To Its Citizens?
The latest edition of #TheBengaluruDebates examined what it would take to make urban public health a core outcome of how cities are planned, financed, and governed.
We were honored to host:
Dinesh Gundu Rao, Minister of Health and Family Welfare, Govt. of Karnataka
Dr. Ashwath Narayan C N, MLA, Malleshwaram and Former Deputy Chief Minister, Govt. of Karnataka
Dr. Shreelata Rao Seshadri, Professor and Director, The Ramalingaswami Centre on Equity and Social Determinants of Health - PHFI, Bangalore
Dr. Nachiket Mor, Economist and Health Systems Researcher
Moderated by Srikanth Viswanathan, CEO, Janaagraha
Held at Bangalore International Centre | January 10, 2026
Watch here: youtube.com/watch?si=B9E1NNJn7ZIvv18_&v=x1Dk-t5K42g&feature=youtu.be
2. National Conference on State Finance Commissions
The National Conference on “State Finance Commissions: Taking Stock of the Present, Evolving a Blueprint for the Future” was organised by the Maharashtra State Finance Commission, in collaboration with Pune International Centre and Janaagraha, on January 17, 2026 at the PIC campus.
More than three decades after the 73rd and 74th Constitutional Amendments, SFCs remain central to strengthening fiscal decentralisation—yet many continue to face delays, uneven implementation, and limited institutional capacity. The conference brought together SFC chairpersons, policymakers, and domain experts to reflect on their evolving role, share inter-state experiences, and shape a future-ready roadmap for empowered local governments.
The discussions highlighted the importance of predictable fiscal transfers, stronger data systems, and greater administrative autonomy so that cities and panchayats can deliver services effectively, transparently, and in line with citizens’ needs.