New Delhi, April 25 (). Two prominent names associated with West Bengal are going to be given big responsibility in NITI Aayog. Ashok Lahiri will be appointed Vice Chairman of NITI Aayog, while Gobardhan Das will be made a member. Although there is no official confirmation yet.
Ashok Lahiri is a well-known economist and has vast experience in the field of economic policies. He is also a member of the present Bengal Legislative Assembly from Balurghat. He studied Economics from Presidency University, Kolkata. Along with this, he has also been associated with research in Delhi School of Economics, Asian Development Bank, Bandhan Bank and National Institute of Public Finance and Policy.
Lahiri is not contesting the elections this time. However, he has been given the responsibility of the key post in the midst of elections. He has served as the 12th Chief Economic Advisor (CEA) to the Government of India.
At the same time, Gobardhan Das is also considered very experienced in administrative and policy matters. Gobardhan Das has also contested the elections, although he lost the election. Gobardhan Das has also served as the Director of IISER Bhopal after serving at Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU), Delhi.
Official notification regarding these appointments is awaited, but discussion regarding it has intensified in political circles.
These appointments are considered important amid the West Bengal Assembly elections. Giving place to two eminent persons associated with the state in NITI Aayog is being seen as an important initiative of the Central Government.
Ashok Lahiri will replace Dr. Suman Berry. After the resignation of well-known economist Rajiv Kumar from the post of Vice Chairman of NITI Aayog, Dr. Suman Berry was given the responsibility. Berry is a well-known economist. Before assuming this post, Berry was associated with an economic think tank in Brussels, Belgium. He has also been the Chief Economist of the World Bank. Berry was the Director General of the National Council of Applied Economic Research from 2001 to 2011.
—
amt/vc