New Delhi: Renowned economist Ashok Lahiri and scientist Gobardhan Das, two prominent personalities from West Bengal, were on Friday appointed as vice-chairman and member of Niti Aayog, respectively, government sources said.
Lahiri, currently a BJP MLA in the West Bengalis a former Chief Economic Adviser to the Government of India and a member of the 15th Finance Commission. He is not contesting the current parliamentary elections in the state.
Das is director of the Indian Institute of Science Education and Research, Bhopal. Prior to taking up this position, he worked as Professor and Chairman of the Specialty Center for Molecular Medicine at Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi.
Lahiri will become the number two in Niti Aayog after Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who heads the government think tank.
The formal appointments of Lahiri and Das as NITI Aayog The vice president and member respectively are expected soon, sources said.
The announcement of the appointment of Lahiri and Das to key posts comes amid elections in West Bengal, where the ruling Trinamool Congress and the BJP are fighting a pitched battle.
