The Modi government has restructured Niti Aayog, appointing Ashok Kumar Lahiri as vice chairman alongside five full-time members.
Photo : PTI
The Modi government on Saturday reconstituted Niti Aayog with the appointment of former Chief Economic Advisor Ashok Kumar Lahiri, as vice chairman and five full-time members. The five full time members include economist KV Raju, Director of AIIMS M Srinivas, Abhay Karandikar, Secretary, Department of Science and Technology, scientist Gobardhan Das and former cabinet secretary Rajiv Gauba.
Making the announcement, Prime Minister Narendra Modi wished a productive and impactful tenure to Lahiri and the new full-time members.
Taking to X, the Prime Minister said, “The Government has reconstituted the NITI Aayog. My best wishes to Ashok Kumar Lahiri on becoming the Vice Chairman. My best wishes also to Rajiv Gauba, KV Raju, Prof. Gobardhan Das, Prof. Abhay Karandikar and Dr M. Srinivas on becoming full time members of NITI Aayog.”
“Wishing all of them a productive and impactful tenure ahead,” PM Modi wrote on his X post.
The prime minister said that the Niti Aayog has emerged as a vital pillar in India’s policy-making architecture, fostering cooperative federalism, furthering reforms and boosting ‘Ease of Living’.
“It serves as a dynamic platform for innovation and long-term strategic thinking across sectors,” he said. The prime minister is the chairman of the Niti Aayog.
Meet The New Niti Aayog Members
Ashok Kumar Lahiri
Ashok Kumar Lahiri is amongst India’s most experienced and senior economists with a career spanning over four decades. Currently a BJP MLA in West Bengal, he is a former chief economic advisor to the government of India and a member of the 15th Finance Commission. He is not contesting the ongoing assembly election in the state.
KV Raju
KV Raju is a member of the Economic Advisory Council to the prime minister. He also serves as the economic advisor to the chief minister of Uttar Pradesh. Karandikar is currently Secretary, Department of Science and Technology (DST). Before joining DST in October 2023, he served as the Director of IIT-Kanpur.
Gobardhan Das
Das is the director of the Indian Institute of Science Education and Research, Bhopal. Prior to assuming this position, he was working as a professor and chair of the Special Centre for Molecular Medicine at Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi.
M Srinivas
Srinivas is the director of the premier All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi. He has had an illustrious career with more than three decades of experience in various positions in the academic, administrative and research fields.
Ashok Lahiri Calls on PM Modi
Lahiri on Saturday called on the prime minister and thanked him for his appointment. The prime minister said Lahiri’s “rich experience in economics and public policy will greatly strengthen India’s reform journey and the journey towards becoming a Viksit Bharat”.
“I am confident his efforts will further energise policymaking in our nation. My best wishes for a fruitful tenure,” Modi said.
Gobardhan Das Thanks PM Modi For Allowing Him To Serve in Niti Aayog
The prime minister also congratulated Gobardhan Das on his appointment as a member of the government think tank. “Your journey, filled with tireless hard work and humility, is truly inspiring for everyone. The invaluable contributions you have made in the fields of public health, science and innovation fill the entire nation with pride. My sincere best wishes for your tenure,” Modi said in response to Das thanking him for the appointment.
Das also thanked the prime minister for allowing him to serve as a member of the Niti Aayog.
“Today is a very important day in my life. I am the son of an ordinary farmer family from the Dalit class in a remote village of West Bengal.
“Since childhood, the fragrance of the soil, the value of hard work, and the truth of struggle have been an integral part of my life. Today’s responsibility is not just a position for me; it is a glimpse of the dreams, hopes, and beliefs of countless ordinary people like me,” he said in a post on X in Hindi.
Das said he believed that for the development of the country, it is imperative that the quality of life in remote areas, the farming community and ordinary people is improved.
“For this purpose, I promise to work with honesty, dedication and full responsibility under the guidance of the Prime Minister,” he said. “I seek everyone’s blessings and cooperation,” he added.