Economist And Ex CEA Ashok Lahiri Set To Take Over As Niti Aayog Vice Chairman

Lahiri was appointed CEA in December 2002 by former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee. He continued under the UPA rule under late PM Manmohan Singh. He finally demitted office of CEA in 2007. 

The affable Lahiri, who has also served the International Monetary Fund and World Bank, decided not to contest the ongoing state elections. 

Apart from IMF and World Bank, Lahiri was also appointed Executive Director of the Asian Development Bank.

He joined the BJP in 2021. 

The well known economist will replace Suman Bery, who is currently serving as Niti Aayog Vice Chairman. 

His appointment comes at a crucial juncture. The Niti Aayog will have to bear much of the responsibilities of steering the country through a crucial phase amid rising geopolitical and geoeconomic risks driven by the US-Isreal war on Iran.