NITI Aayog Vice-Chairman Arvind Panagariya resigns, August 31 to be last day in office

NITI Aayog Vice-Chairman Arvind Panagariya resigned on Tuesday saying he will return to academia. August 31 will be the last day of Panagariya in office.

The Indian-American economist and Professor of Indian Political Economy at Columbia University, Panagariya had joined as the first Vice-Chairman of the Niti Aayog, which had replaced the Planning Commission, in January 2015.

Talking to reporters, he said the Columbia University was not giving him further extension and he would be leaving Niti Aayog on August 31. He said that about two months ago he had expressed his desire to the Prime Minister, who is the Chairperson of NITI Aayog, to be relieved by August 31.

Panagariya, 64, said the work he was doing at the university would be very difficulty to get at his age. In March 2012, he was honoured with Padma Bhushan, the third highest civilian honours India bestows in any field.

ALSO READ | 3 years of Modi Govt: Indian Economy to hit sustained 8% growth rate over next 2 years, predicts NITI Aayog

#FLASH Niti Aayog Vice-Chairman Arvind Panagariya resigns, August 31 to be last day in office. pic.twitter.com/rn712u3ArF

— ANI (@ANI_news) August 1, 2017

Last month, while speaking at the valedictory function of ‘Textiles India 2017’ at Mahatma Mandir, he said “There are lot of claims that we are experiencing a jobless growth. Big debate is going on about this issue since some time. I think that this kind of assertion is bit bogus.”

“I have never heard about any country where growth of 7 to 8 per cent is happening without new investment or labour.  So the claims of jobless growth cannot be logically correct,” he added.

NITI Aayog is focusing on development of India’s vast coastline to generate employment and attract export-oriented firms, as in China, he said.

(With PTI inputs)

ALSO READ: Jobless growth claims are 'bit bogus', says Arvind Panagariya