Raja J Chelliah, the man instrumental in bringing in tax reforms in the early 1990s, died today after a brief illness.
A renowned economist, Chelliah, who was 86, leaves wife and two daughters.
As chairman of the Tax Reforms Committee between 1991 and 1993, he contributed significantly to fiscal policies post-liberalisation in the country.
The Report of the Tax Reforms Committee was the basis for shift in the country's policy towards lower import protection and globalisation.
After obtaining his PhD in economics from Pittsburgh University, USA, Chelliah returned to India to work as a senior economist at the National Council for Applied Economic Research (NCAER).
Honoured with Padma Vibhushan, Chelliah authored a number of books, including 'Aspects of the Black Economy in India'.
Later, he joined the IMF in the fiscal affairs department as its chief.
