The Hindu : Front Page : Prabhat Patnaik to take charge by mid-June

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Monday, Jun 05, 2006

Front Page

Front Page

Prabhat Patnaik to take charge by mid-June

Special Correspondent

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Economist Prabhat Patnaik, who has been appointed Vice-Chairman of the State Planning Board, will formally take charge by the middle of this month.

Prof. Patnaik's original plan was to take over the reins of the Planning Board on July 1, but he has decided to advance this in view of the need for a revised budget, which would be presented in the Assembly on June 23.

The Professor of Economics in Jawaharlal Nehru University, who decided to accept Chief Minister V.S. Achuthanandan's invitation to take over as the Vice-Chairman of the Planning Board disregarding his personal inconveniences, arrived in the State capital on Saturday and held informal discussions with the Chief Minister at his official residence here on Sunday.

Prof. Patnaik was the chairman of the Second State Finance Commission and had played a major part in systematising the devolution of funds to the local self-government institutions. Talking to The Hindu, Prof. Patnaik said he saw a challenging task ahead in his new role. He said his primary focus in the new job would be on tackling the fiscal crisis gripping the State with the agrarian crisis as its background.

Kerala, Prof. Patnaik felt, has strengths that are not to be found in most other States. The State, he said, should focus on reviving agriculture and traditional industries even as it tried for investment in IT, tourism and other new growth areas.

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