Chief economic advisor Arvind Subramanian quits, will return to US

NEW DELHI:

Chief economic advisor

(CEA)

Arvind Subramanian

has decided to quit from his post "on account of pressing family commitments", Union minister Arun Jaitley said in a blog post titled "Thank You Arvind". Subramanian will return to the United States (US), Jaitley added.




Subramanian had joined the government as the economic advisor on October 16, 2014 for a period of three years. In 2017, his term was extended for a year.

Jaitley further said that "on the expiry of the three year I (Jaitley) had requested him to continue for some more time. Even at that stage he told me that he was torn between family commitment and his current job which he considered the best and most fulfilling he has ever done."

In his post, Jaitley credited him for conceptualising "JAM (Jan Dhan, Aadhar, Mobile) as a data base for availing public benefits." He said that Subramanian’s interaction with the government, Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) and with other Departments was both formal and informal and his instantaneous communications with interlocutors had increased his effectiveness.

In reaction to Jaitley's post, Subramanian took to Twitter and thanked him. He tweeted: "Profoundly grateful and humbled by these extraordinarily generous words by Minister Arun Jaitley announcing my decision to return-for personal reasons-to researching and writing. CEA job most rewarding, fulfilling, exciting I have ever had."



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Recalling his contribution on formulating the revenue neutral rate, Jaitley said "it was of great use in forging a consensus which led to the constitution amendment enabling the GST. He participated in every meeting of GST, gave his independent views and was heard in rapt attention by almost every Finance Minister".

Subramanian, the minister added, elevated the quality of the analysis and the presentation of ideas for public deliberation in his four "Economic Surveys".

During his tenure, Subramanian came out with futuristic ideas on rationalisation of removal of "subsidies for the rich", universal basic income, climate change, and the four C's -- courts, CAG, CVC and CBI -- that had historically paralysed decision making.

He also conducted the first online course on Indian economy for the benefits of students and teachers across the country. Besides, he launched the government's online education platform 'Swayam', which became one of the most followed courses in India.