Panagariya quits NITI Aayog, headed to US
Panagariya quits NITI Aayog, headed to US: Will return to Columbia University, which has refused to extend his leave...
Dr Panagariya
This refers to the report “Panagariya quits NITI Aayog, headed to return to US” (Business Line, August 2). At a time when India needed their services most, Dr Raghuram Rajan and Dr Arvind Panagariya took ‘short’ breaks from academia and served in this country occupying positions crucial to the country’s economic development. It is another matter that we couldn’t lure them to stay on. Let us thank them for being with us and providing leadership in their respective areas of expertise. Let us not probe further about their career plans and life’s ambitions.
Both the exits point to the need for the country to have a talent pool for avoiding vacuums when top positions fall vacant at shorter intervals. Except for unexpected reasons, we need to plan for continuity for positions like those held by Panagariya and Rajan, for 5 to 10 years. Though both have justified their presence, three years is too short a period for ‘visions’ getting translated into visible actions.
GOI should think in terms of creating a talent pool in different areas of expertise from those who are already working in different departments and organisations including universities within the country and abroad. Whenever vacancies arise, it should be possible to shortlist prospective candidates from this pool in addition to those who may be eligible for being considered on the strength of their position in the department/organization or individual merits.
M G Warrier
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