New Delhi: Eminent economist Arvind Panagariya took charge as the first vice chairman of NITI Aayog, an official statement said here. The National Institution for Transforming India (NITI) Aayog has been established by the government to function as both a think-tank and a policy forum replacing the Planning Commission. Panagariya was professor of economics at New York’s Columbia University. A Rajasthan University alumnus, he holds a PhD in economics from Princeton University. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has also appointed full-time members, ex-officio members and special invitees. Sindhushree Khullar is the chief executive officer of NITI Aayog. The full-time members are Bibek Debroy, an economist and professor at the New Delhi-based Centre for Policy Research, and scientist VK Saraswat, who has served as director general of the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) and as chief scientific adviser to the defence minister. IANS
Death toll from toxic liquor hits 31
Lucknow: A batch of home-brew liquor has killed at least 31 people in northern India, with more than 100 others ill in hospital, police said yesterday, in the latest incident of alcohol poisoning in the country. The figure jumped from Monday’s toll of 14 after more people died in hospital after drinking the toxic alcohol in a village on the outskirts of Lucknow, the capital of Uttar Pradesh. AFP
Odisha scam: CBI raids 14 places
Bhubaneswar: A Special Investigation Team (SIT) of the CBI searched 14 places in Odisha in connection with the chit fund scam, officials said. The searches were conducted in four districts — Balasore, Ganjam, Sambalpur and in Bhubaneswar in Khurdha district — in connection with Safex Infra India Private Ltd, said sources in the Central Bureau of Investigation. The SIT is probing the scam following a Supreme Court order.IANS
NC sends support letter for PDP
Jammu: The National Conference yesterday formally handed over a letter to Jammu and Kashmir Governor NN Vohra stating its support to the PDP for forming the government in the state. A statement issued by the National Conference said party leader Devender Rana called on the governor to hand over the communication. Reacting to the development, PDP chief spokesman Naeem Akhtar said the party would deliberate on the offer in an appropriate forum. IANS
River inter-linking to get priority
New Delhi: The government will take up inter-linking of rivers on a priority basis, Urban Development Minister M Venkaiah Naidu said yesterday. Speaking during a function organised to mark the ‘India Water Week’ in the capital, Naidu said: “Some of our environment friends are raising voices. There will be voices in democracy, let there be. We have to take up rivers inter-linking on a priority basis,” he added.IANS
