Economist Dr. Rajeev kumar has been selected as new vice chairman of NITI Ayog. His name was announced after earlier Vice Chairman Arvind Pangadhia announced on 31 August that he is leaving the post of vice chairman and is going back to Columbia University.
Along with Dr. Kumar, Dr. Vinod Paul has also been selected as a member of NITI Ayog. Dr. Paul is a Child Specialist in AIIMS.
About Dr. Rajeev Kumar:
Kumar has done DPhill in economics from Oxford University and have done PHD from Lucknow University. He is a Senior Research fellow at CPR (Centre for Policy Research).
He has written many books on Indian Economy and India’s National Security. Earlier in his career, he has also provided his services as Secretary General of the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI). Kumar has also served in Indian Council for Research on International Economic Relations (ICRIER) as department’s Chief Executive and Director, Chief Economist at CII(Confederation of Indian Industries), Worked at Asian Development Bank and at ministry of finance on various positions.
Kumar is also the member of various international and national Organizations like King Abdulla petroleum studies and research center Riyadh, Economic Research Institute for ASEAN and Asia , State Bank of India and Indian Foreign Trade Institute.
Niti Ayog:(History): NITI Ayog is Indian government’s major think tank which was formed by passing a resolution by Union Cabinet on January 1, 2015. It replaced earlier Planning Commission which was following top-down approach and was functioning from 1950s. So, there was a need of a new system and that is why NITI Ayog was formed to serve Indian people in a better way.
Members of NITI Ayog: As far as members are concerned NITI Ayog consists of Chairman, Vice Chairman, Chief Executive officer and members. At present NITI Ayog has Prime Minister Narendra Modi as Chairman, Mr Amitabh Kant working as Chief Executive Officer and has three full time members Prof. Ramesh Chand, Shri V.K. Saraswat, Shri Bibek Debroy respectively.
Functions of NITI Ayog: As mentioned above it is the main think tank of Government of India which gives directions and inputs on various policies. It also helps center and states by providing them with required and relevant technical advice.
The Ayog consists mainly of two parts depending upon its functioning-
1. Team India Hub: This part ensures proper engagement of states and Center Government.
2. Knowledge and Innovation Hub: It works on Capabilities of NITI Ayog.
