NK Singh replaces Manmohan Singh as Institute of Economic Growth president

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, August 19

NK Singh, who has chaired the Fifteenth Finance Commission, has replaced former prime minister Dr Manmohan Singh as the president of Institute of Economic Growth (IEG) Society.

Dr Singh retired from the Presidency of the IEG Society earlier this month. Former CII DG Tarun Das is the Chairman and Prof Ajit Mishra is the IEG Director.

The name of Singh was suggested by the former PM who has served as President of IEG since 1992, according to an IEG news release.

“The role of institutions like IEG in the developmental journey of our economy and society can never be understated. True to the wishes of our founder VKRV Rao, and other stalwarts, this institution has inspired generations of researchers, practitioners and policymakers in the field of development and public policy. Going forward it is only natural that there will be new challenges which can through our endeavour be translated into new opportunities and initiatives,” said Dr Singh in his letter to the Institute Director.

“However, in the light of my advanced age and indifferent health, I have to withdraw from many active duties. I am afraid I will have to ask you to continue your journey with another leader. With this mind, I would propose the name of my trusted and able friend NK Singh to lead IEG Society as president,’’ he wrote.

“NK had a long association with the Institute and this relationship has been revived recently in the form of his induction in the Board of Trustees as member. He is a proven leader with five decades of work in public policy design and implementation,’’ he said about NK Singh who also served in the PMO during Dr Singh’s premiership.

“While honouring his wish to be relieved of the presidency, members highlighted his role in shaping IEG’s strong research culture and standing as an institution of excellence in research and training,’’ said the IEG new release.

NK Singh was formerly with the IAS and became a Rajya Sabha MP for the Janata Dal (United). After the end of his term in 2014, he joined the BJP. Besides handling senior bureaucratic assignments, he has also served as Member, Planning Commission and was Officer on Special Duty to then PM Atal Bihari Vajpayee.