Would have continued if Columbia had extended my leave: Arvind Panagariya

In a Q&A with a group of journalists, he says his decision to resign from NITI Aayog was not sudden

Arvind Panagariya, first vice-chairman of the NITI Aayog, replacement for the five-decade-old Planning Commission, has decided to return to academics. The noted economist in an interaction with a group of journalists. Edited excerpts:

Was the decision sudden or prompted by an event?

Not like that. I was in discussion with Columbia University (he's a professor there) for some months on extending my leave. They declined to do so and, at this age, I won't get a job equivalent to my existing profile there. Therefore, almost two months earlier, I requested the Prime Minister to relieve me of my responsibilities, as I wanted