Kerala Government Appoints Economic Advisors to Planning Board Vice-Chairman

The Kerala government has granted in-principle approval for the appointment of three economic advisors to K.M. Chandrasekhar, Vice-Chairman of the State Planning Board. Chandrasekhar, a former Union Cabinet Secretary, assumed the role in July following the reconstitution of the Planning Board under the United Democratic Front (UDF) government.

Experts to Guide Fiscal Strategy

The Finance Department has sanctioned the appointments of D. Narayana, former Director of the Gulati Institute of Finance and Taxation (GIFT), as Senior Economic Advisor; Kiran Kumar Kakarlapudi, Assistant Professor at GIFT; and M. Parameswaran, Professor at the Centre for Development Studies, as economic advisors. Their tenures will align with that of Chandrasekhar, as stipulated by the Planning and Economic Affairs Department.

Dr. Narayana brings significant experience, having previously served on a three-member panel led by Chandrasekhar that drafted the UDF government’s White Paper on Kerala’s fiscal health. Kakarlapudi and Parameswaran had supported the panel with research and analysis, showcasing their expertise in economic planning and policy formulation.

Planning Board's Strategic Overhaul

This development comes amid heightened focus on Kerala’s Planning Board, which has been under scrutiny following the submission of the White Paper to the State Assembly in June. The paper proposed transforming the Board into a government think tank, a recommendation echoed in the Revised Budget for the 2026-27 fiscal year.

While the proposal aims to modernize the Board’s role in governance, it has sparked criticism from the Opposition Left Democratic Front (LDF). The LDF has accused the UDF government of mimicking the BJP’s decision to replace the Planning Commission with NITI Aayog, a move they view as undermining traditional planning frameworks.

Context of Appointments

The reconstitution of the Planning Board earlier this year marked a significant shift in Kerala’s governance strategy. Chief Minister V.D. Satheesan was appointed Chairperson, with Chandrasekhar as Vice-Chairperson, alongside five ministers as members. The addition of economic advisors is expected to bolster the Board’s capacity to address fiscal challenges and implement policy recommendations effectively.

These appointments reflect the UDF government’s commitment to leveraging expert insights to navigate Kerala’s economic landscape, particularly as the state grapples with fiscal health concerns highlighted in recent reports.

Source: The Hindu