Renowned economist Ashok Lahiri and scientist Gobardhan Das, both from West Bengal, have been named Vice-Chairman and Member of NITI Aayog, respectively, according to government sources.
Lahiri, who is currently a BJP MLA in West Bengal, is a former Chief Economic Adviser to the Government of India and has also served as a member of the 15th Finance Commission. He is not contesting the ongoing Assembly elections in the state. He will replace Suman Bery, who assumed the role in May 2022.
Lahiri was appointed Chief Economic Adviser in December 2002 by the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet when Atal Bihari Vajpayee was Prime Minister. He continued in the role until June 2007, serving a significant part of his tenure under the Congress-led UPA government headed by Manmohan Singh.
Das is currently serving as Director of Indian Institute of Science Education and Research Bhopal. Before this, he was a professor and Chair at the Special Centre for Molecular Medicine at Jawaharlal Nehru University.
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