Economic Survey 2014: Meet some of the key people behind the survey

The Economic Survey offers a comprehensive picture of the year gone by. But who actually puts it together? The finance minister’s chief economic advisor usually helms the project and the one handled by current RBI governor Raghuram Rajan two years ago is often cited for its high quality.

But with no chief economic advisor having appointed by the Narendra Modi government, the latest one has been compiled by various additional economic advisors and several others in the finance ministry’s economic division.

Here’s a look at some of the key people behind the document that was presented in Parliament on Wednesday, a day ahead of the budget as per tradition.

ILA PATNAIK - Principal economic advisor

A PhD from the University of Surrey, Patnaik has moved seamlessly from research to academics to journalism and now to government. Her research focused on issues connected to capital flows, business cycles, the financial sector, and the study of Indian firms as the country opens up its capital account. She has consistently advocated such an opening up in her columns.

HAC PRASAD - Senior economic advisor

Prasad, an alumnus of Sussex university’s Institute of Development Studies, has specialised in the area of services and international trade. He is one of those behind starting the annual Delhi Economics Conclave, which sees the stars in the field attending. Having authored two books on trade, which focus on the WTO and India, Prasad’s imprint is apparent in the survey’s chapters on international trade and services sectors.

DS KOLAMKAR - Senior Advisor

Kolamkar is an expert on the commodities markets. Having had two stints at the Forward Markets Commission, it was natural for him to advocate deepening of the commodities markets as head of an expert panel constituted to look into the issues hurting the sector.

KL PRASAD - Advisor

Prasad is a veteran of the economic division having spent more than nine years dealing with issues related to macroeconomy, balance of payments, agriculture, industry and infrastructure.

GS NEGI - Advisor

Negi belongs to the 1985 batch of the Indian Economic Service.

ANANDI SUBRAMANIAN - Advisor

Subramanian has handled several jobs including member secretary to the Commission for Agricultural Costs and Prices.

AS SACHDEVA - Advisor

Sachdeva has served as economic advisor in the health and family welfare ministry.



SUNIL SARAN - Additional Economic Advisor

Saran belongs to the 1992 batch of the IES and handles the work relating to the external sector.