Former CEA Ashok Lahiri to be Niti Aayog vice-chairman

This news highlights the structure and role of NITI Aayog (National Institution for Transforming India), established in 2015 to replace the Planning Commission. Unlike its predecessor, NITI Aayog serves as a policy think tank, fostering cooperative federalism through structured support initiatives and mechanisms with states on a continuous basis. The Prime Minister of India is the ex-officio Chairperson, while the Vice-Chairperson is appointed by the PM. The Vice-Chairperson holds a cabinet minister rank and manages the day-to-day operations. The addition of full-time members like Gobardhan Das provides domain expertise, which is crucial for addressing complex socio-economic challenges. UPSC often tests the differences between the Planning Commission and NITI Aayog, focusing on their respective powers (NITI Aayog cannot allocate funds, unlike the Planning Commission) and structural compositions (NITI Aayog's Governing Council includes all Chief Ministers, unlike the NDC).

Ashok Lahiri’s appointment brings extensive economic expertise to NITI Aayog. His previous roles include serving as the Chief Economic Advisor (CEA) to the Government of India and as a member of the 15th Finance Commission. The Finance Commission, constituted under Article 280 of the Constitution, recommends the distribution of tax revenues between the Union and the States (vertical devolution) and among the States (horizontal devolution). Lahiri's experience in these roles is vital for formulating long-term economic policies and advising the government on fiscal federalism, macroeconomic stability, and structural reforms. His background with international organizations like the World Bank and IMF also provides a global perspective to India's policy-making.

The appointment of Gobardhan Das, an eminent scientist specializing in immunology and infectious diseases, to a prominent policy body like NITI Aayog underscores the increasing importance of science and technology in national development. Das, the Director of IISER Bhopal, represents the integration of scientific research into policy formulation, which is crucial for addressing challenges in public health, innovation, and technological advancement. This aligns with India's focus on building a knowledge economy and tackling global challenges like pandemics and climate change through evidence-based policymaking. His background also highlights the role of specialized institutions like IISER in fostering cutting-edge scientific research in India.