The Government of India has appointed Dilip Rath as Chairman of the National Dairy Development Board (NDDB) for a period of two years from December 1, 2016. Rath has held additional charge of the post of Chairman since August 1.
In a notification issued on November 29, the Department of Personnel & Training announced the appointment of Rath as NDDB Chairman for a period of two years, or until further orders, whichever is earlier.
Rath took premature retirement from public service (IAS) to join NDDB as Managing Director in 2011. He had joined the Indian Administrative Service in 1979, and served in different capacities under the West Bengal and Odisha governments and the Central Government.
Rath, who was also on the board of NDDB, was appointed as in-charge Chairman following T Nandakumar's resignation from the post in July.
"As mission director of the National Dairy Plan (NDP), he is actively pursuing the project objectives of increasing productivity of milch animals and, thereby, increasing milk production to meet the rapidly growing demand for milk," NDDB stated in a statement.
Rath brings with him wide experience in dairy development and cooperatives and has been instrumental in implementing various schemes of the Centre, including monitoring the country's milk situation in the context of inflation of essential commodities.
Rath is an alumnus of Jawaharlal Nehru University, from where he received a master's degree in Economics, and an M.Sc from the London School of Economics.