New Delhi: The Government has reconstituted the NITI Aayog, appointing veteran economist Ashok Kumar Lahiri as its new Vice Chairperson.
The move places him as the second-highest official in the policy think tank after Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who serves as its Chairperson.
Announcing the appointments, the Prime Minister wished Lahiri and the newly inducted full-time members a productive and impactful tenure. He also extended his wishes to Rajiv Gauba, K V Raju, Gobardhan Das, Abhay Karandikar and M Srinivas, who have been named as full-time members of the body.
Lahiri said he met Prime Minister Narendra Modi following his appointment and noted that it is the Prime Minister's vision to build a "Viksit Bharat" by 2047. He said achieving this goal would require well-framed and effective policies. Lahiri also credited the earlier education policies of West Bengal for playing a significant role in shaping his career and his appointment, calling it a matter of pride and respect for the state.
Experienced economist with decades in policymaking
Lahiri is widely regarded as an experienced policy economist with a career spanning more than four decades. He previously served as the Chief Economic Adviser to the Government of India, where he was responsible for advising the Finance Ministry on macroeconomic policy, taxation, fiscal management and economic reforms.
He has also been a member of the 15th Finance Commission, which played a key role in recommending tax devolution and shaping financial relations between the Centre and states.
Global and academic experience
Beyond domestic policymaking, Lahiri has worked with major international institutions, including the World Bank, International Monetary Fund (IMF) and Asian Development Bank (ADB), giving him exposure to global economic systems and development finance.
Academically, he studied at Presidency University and the Delhi School of Economics. Originally from Kolkata, he has often been associated with economic discussions related to West Bengal and broader national development policy.
Political background
Lahiri is also a sitting BJP MLA in West Bengal, adding a political dimension to his profile alongside his extensive academic and bureaucratic experience.
Role at NITI Aayog
As Vice Chairperson, Lahiri is expected to play a key role in shaping India's long-term economic strategy, including areas such as growth, investment, employment generation, infrastructure development and the government's broader Viksit Bharat vision.
NITI Aayog, India's apex policy think tank, works closely with states to promote cooperative federalism and long-term development planning.