The Hindu Business Line : Suresh Tendulkar is PM’s Economic Advisory Council Chairman

Dr Suresh Tendulkar, noted economist with expertise in the Indian statistical system, has been appointed the Chairman of the Prime Minister’s Economic Advisory Council (EAC). Prior to his elevation as Chairman, Dr Tendulkar was a member of the EAC.

The Centre’s move to appoint Dr Tendulkar as Chairman of EAC follows the resignation of Dr C. Rangarajan, who was holding the Chairman’s post ever since the UPA Government re-constituted the EAC in December 2004.

Meanwhile, Dr Tendulkar told Business Line here on Friday that the EAC’s activities in the coming days would not be very different from those already being carried out by the Council. Asked about his views on the state of the economy and also the raging inflation, Dr Tendulkar said, “you should wait for our outlook report” that would be submitted next week.

Apart from advice on policy matters referred to the Council by the Prime Minister from time to time, the EAC also prepares a monthly report on economic developments at home and abroad for the Prime Minister. The Council also suggests suitable policy responses on various economic developments.

Dr Tendulkar, who took his Ph. D from Harvard University as a Rockefeller Foundation Scholar, was former Director of the Delhi School of Economics (1995-98). He had taught and researched at the Indian Statistical Institute, Delhi (1968-78).

He has written extensively on Indian development issues and policies, including those on liberalisation and globalisation. Dr Tendulkar had been closely associated with the National Sample Survey Organisation (NSSO), National Statistical Commission (NSC). He was also part of the first Disinvestment Commission (1996-99) and the Fifth Pay Commission (1994-97) appointed by the Indian Government.