Panagariya to leave Niti Aayog on Aug 31; back to academics

Niti Aayog Vice Chairman Arvind Panagariya today said he will leave the government think tank on August 31 and return to Columbia University.
The Indian-American, who joined as the first Vice Chairman of Niti Aayog in January 2015, is the second high profile academic-economist after former RBI Governor Raghuram Rajan to quit a top job in India to return to the teaching profession in the US.
Like Rajan, Panagariya was often outspoken on issues including labour reforms, privatisation of Air India and sick PSUs, for which RSS-affiliate Bharatiya Mazdoor Sangh (BMS) had accused Niti Aayog of furthering corporate lobby's agenda in the country.

The 64-year old Panagariya, professor of Indian Political Economy at Columbia University, did not have a fixed term at the government think tank.
Going by the convention, followed by the erstwhile Planning Commission which was replaced by Niti Aayog, the term was to be co-terminus with that of the Prime Minister, who is the Chairperson of the body.
Talking to reporters, Panagariya said the 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 Prime Minister Narendra Modi to be relieved by August 31.

Panagariya said he had to make a choice as it would not be possible for him to get the job he had been doing at Columbia University. At US universities one can teach as long as one's health permits.
"If I were at 40, then I would have got job anywhere... the kind of job I have at Columbia is almost impossible to get at this age," he said.
Under similar circumstances, Rajan had quit the central bank after a 3-year term last year to rejoin the Chicago University.
Panagariya, a close associate of noted trade economist Jagdish Bhagwati, was honoured with Padma Bhushan, the third highest civilian honours India bestows in any field, in March 2012.

He holds a PhD Degree from the Princeton University and had also worked with the Asian Development Bank, World Bank, IMF and UNCTAD in various capacities.
On his tenure at the Niti Aayog, Panagariya said although it was tough initially, but once he got into the groove, it had been a smooth sailing.
Panagariya said he took comfort from the fact that during his tenure a new institution has taken roots and would continue to steer the economy to achieve higher growth trajectory.
Among other achievements, he said, the Niti Aayog has been able to push privatisation, especially of sick units and Air India, prepare the ground for reforms in several sectors including medical and higher education, and develop a good working relationship with states.

"I have always shared good relations with Reserve Bank, Finance Ministry and Prime Minister's Office," he added.
He further said although he wanted to complete Seven-Year Strategy Paper and 15-year Vision Document, the task would now have to be done by his successor. These documents, he added, were 80-85 per cent ready.
On his successor, Panagariya said he has no one in mind nor was he going to suggest any name to the government.
Panagariya also said that he would be writing a sequel to his 'India: The Emerging Giant' which was published in 2008.
Reacting to the development today, BMS General Secretary Virjesh Upadhyay said: "We were not against anybody. But we were against policies of Niti Aayog on labour laws and disinvestment of PSUs.

"The Aayog was encroaching territories of different ministries. We had urged the Aayog to consult stakeholders before making any policy. It used to meet corporate lobbies but not labour unions.