Ashok Lahiri, an economist and outgoing West Bengal MLA from the BJP, was appointed as the vice-chairman of the NITI Aayog just ahead of the second phase of the Bengal elections. This means that Lahiri will be the de facto head of the think tank, chaired by the Prime Minister himself.
He previously served as the 12th Chief Economic Adviser to the Government of India.
Lahiri is a member of the West Bengal Assembly from Balurghat but is not contesting the polls this time. He is a graduate of the prestigious Presidency College in Calcutta, where he studied in the Department of Economics. Lahiri has taught at prominent institutions such as the Delhi School of Economics, he has also held senior positions at institutions such as the National Institute of Public Finance and Policy, the Bandhan Bank as well as the Asian Development Bank.
Lahiri was associated with the World Bank as a consultant. He also worked at the International Monetary Fund as Chief Economist.
Besides Lahiri, scientist Gobardhan Das, also from Bengal, was appointed as a member of NITI Aayog.
Das is the director of the Indian Institute of Science Education and Research in Bhopal. Prior to this position, he was Professor and Chairman of the Specialty Center for Molecular Medicine at Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi.
Who is the current Vice Chairman of NITI Aayog?
Suman Bery is the outgoing vice-chairman of the think tank. The VC of NITI Aayog has the same rank and status as a Minister in the Union Cabinet. Bery became the Vice Chairman of NITI Aayog on 1 May 2022.
The meetings come during the Bengal polls
Both these new appointments come amid the West Bengal Assembly elections. The first phase was held on April 23 and witnessed a historic turnout, with the EC revealing it to be the highest in the country’s history since independence.
With the 2nd phase of the Bengal polls slated for April 26, it remains to be seen whether this priority given to Bengal in filling such crucial positions in the central government can endear the ruling party at the center more.
