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New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday congratulated the newly appointed leadership of NITI Aayog after its reconstitution by the government. He met Ashok Kumar Lahiri in New Delhi earlier in the day, marking Lahiri’s first official engagement after taking charge as Vice Chairman.

Taking to X, PM Modi said, “NITI Aayog has emerged as a vital pillar in India’s policy-making architecture, fostering cooperative federalism, furthering reforms and boosting ‘Ease of Living.’ It serves as a dynamic platform for innovation and long-term strategic thinking across sectors.”

He added, “The Government has reconstituted the NITI Aayog. My best wishes to Shri Ashok Kumar Lahiri Ji on becoming the Vice Chairman. My best wishes also to Shri Rajiv Gauba Ji, Prof. K. V. Raju Ji, Prof. Gobardhan Das Ji, Prof. Abhay Karandikar Ji and Dr M. Srinivas Ji on becoming Full Time Members of NITI Aayog. Wishing all of them a productive and impactful tenure ahead.”

Lahiri, who is also a BJP MLA from West Bengal, met PM Modi in the national capital soon after assuming office. The details of the meeting are not known, but it is seen as significant given NITI Aayog’s role in shaping India’s economic policies.

Among the new full-time members is Gobardhan Das, a scientist from West Bengal. The reconstituted body also includes Rajiv Gauba, K V Raju, Abhay Karandikar and M Srinivas.

Dilip Mandal, Senior Advisor in the Information and Broadcasting Ministry, congratulated Lahiri. He said on X, “India’s top economist, the die-hard Bengali Dr. Ashok Lahiri, who prepares khichdi prasad for the religious event of Ram Puja, will now be a key figure at NITI Aayog (formerly the Planning Commission).”

“He will guide how the country’s policies are shaped. This is a good selection by Prime Minister @narendramodi,” he added.

Lahiri studied economics at Presidency University in Kolkata. He held roles at the Delhi School of Economics, the Asian Development Bank, Bandhan Bank, and the National Institute of Public Finance and Policy.

Gobardhan Das is an immunologist who worked at Jawaharlal Nehru University. He also served as director of IISER Bhopal and contested the 2021 West Bengal Assembly elections.