New Delhi, June 20 (UNI) Chief Economic Advisor (CEA) Arvind Subramanian has decided to quit his assignment due to personal reasons, but has yet not decided his last working day in the government.
Talking to reporters on Wednesday, Mr Subramanian said that this was his best ever job and Finance Minister Arun Jaitley was his best ever boss, 'but I have decided to go back to US to be with the family.'
Mr Subramanian's term ends in May 2019, but he indicated that he will leave before October 2018.
He said that he will be happy to come back to serve country after sometime as he is happy with his job.
He also showed his pleasure in being the part of the team who was responsible for the roll out of GST.
Replying to a question related to double digit growth, he said that it is possible only if the outside factors' supports and stable reforms processes go on.
Earlier, Union Minister Mr Jaitley broke the news in his Facebook post saying that Mr Subramanian is quitting his job. He said that Chief Economic Advisor Arvind Subramanian has decided to quit after four years in what he described as "the best job I ever had, not without controversies sometimes." Mr Subramanian wanted to go back to the US for personal reasons.
"He would like to go back to the United States on account of pressing family commitments... He left me with no option but to agree with him," Mr Jaitley wrote.
Mr Jaitley, who is recovering from surgery, said Mr Subramanian had met him over video-conference a few days ago. "His reasons were personal but extremely important for him," he said.
Mr Jaitly informed that Mr Subramanian had completed his 3 year tenure and was on extension for the last one year. Government was willing to continue Mr Subramanian, but he requested to get relieved due to family issues.
Mr Subramanian had joined Finance Ministry as Chief Economic Advisor on 16th October, 2014 for a period of three years. On the expiry of the three year Mr Jaitley had requested him to continue for some more time.
According to Mr Jaitley, even at that stage Mr Subramanian had told Mr Jaitley that he was torn between family commitment and his current job which he considered the best and most fulfilling he has ever done.
Appreciating Arvind’s interaction with the Government in the Ministry of Finance, Prime Minister’s Office and with other Departments, Mr Jaitly said that it was both formal and informal. His instantaneous communications with his interlocutors had increased his effectiveness.
Mr Jaitley said, “He elevated the quality of the analysis and the presentation of ideas for public deliberation in his four “Economic Surveys”. His documents for four years were treated by several independent critics as one of the best ever produced. The latest survey had about 15 million visitors from 117 countries. The Economic Survey today is a basic teaching material all over India.”
UNI ADP ADG 1754