New Delhi, 25 April (H.S.):

Newly appointed Vice Chairman of NITI Aayog, Ashok Kumar Lahiri, held a courtesy meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday.

The Prime Minister shared a photograph of the meeting on social media, congratulating Lahiri and stating that his extensive experience in economics and public policy will bolster India's reform agenda and the vision of 'Viksit Bharat'. He expressed confidence that Lahiri's efforts will invigorate policymaking across the nation.

According to a government notification, senior economist Lahiri was appointed Vice Chairman on Friday, alongside the announcement of NITI Aayog's new full-time team. The team includes Rajeev Gauba, Prof. KV Raju, Prof. Gobardhan Das, Prof. Abhay Karandikar, and Dr. M. Srinivas as full-time members.

The Prime Minister extended best wishes to all new appointees, describing NITI Aayog as a vital pillar of India's policymaking framework that promotes cooperative federalism, reforms, and 'Ease of Living'.

Meanwhile, Prof. Gobardhan Das expressed gratitude on social media for his appointment, calling it a pivotal moment in his life from a modest farming family, and a matter of pride to serve the nation.

Prime Minister Modi responded to Das's post, praising his contributions in public health, science, and innovation as inspirational for the country.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar