Arvind Subramanian is known to do things differently. His reason for quitting as Chief Economic Adviser to the Union Finance Ministry is characteristically ‘unusual’: he wants to give more time to his soon-to-be-born grandchild.
Subramanian addresses his boss, Finance Minister Arun Jaitley, as ‘Minister’ and not ‘sir’, unlike his Secretary-level colleagues. This informal, matter-of-fact approach rubbed off on many others at North Block, among them Jaitley, who penned a Facebook blog post thanking “Arvind”.
The acronym ‘JAM’ (Jan Dhan Bank Accounts, Aadhaar and Mobile Connection)’ — which Subramanian introduced in his first Economic Survey — has become the punchline for the government, as has the ‘revenue-neutral rate’ (RNR) for GST which formed the basis for many an argument to decide the indirect tax rates.
“My departure from this job is motivated entirely by personal reasons. It is no secret that we are expecting our first grandchild in early September. That’s a very compelling reason that takes us back to the old life that I used to lead — of researching, writing, teaching and reflecting, above all,” he told reporters in what may have been his last press conference.
In an earlier time, verbose press meets had been the hallmark of CEAs; Subramanian, however, chose to present his four Economic Surveys through innovative powerpoint presentations.
The CEA’s exit comes several months before the expiry of his contract in May 2019.
What next? “I have not thought about what I want to work on, what I want to write on, but certainly reflecting upon my experience here, reflecting upon India and its challenges. I also had in mind, for many years, [the intention to] writing a book on economic development around the world.”
On his experience here, he said: “I will go back with the happiest, best of memories of this tenure in terms of what we all were able to do.”
Will he come back, if the need arises? “I will always be committed to serving the country at all times.”