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Rakesh Mohan may move to ICRIER

BS Economy Bureau

Rakesh Mohan, adviser to Finance Minister Yashwant Sinha, may join the Indian Council for Research on International Economic Relations (ICRIER) in April.

He has emerged as a top contender to succeed Isher Judge Ahluwalia as ICRIER's chief executive and director. Ahluwalia, whose four-year tenure ends this month, will be joining the University of Maryland, Washington, as visiting professor.

While Rakesh Mohan's departure from the North Block was on the cards after the Budget, it was anticipated that he would return to the Infrastructure Development Finance Company, where he still is vice-chairman.

Confirming the move, senior government sources said Rakesh Mohan had expressed the desire to move to ICRIER as its chief executive and director.

A search committee headed by ICRIER chairman I G Patel is trying to locate Ahluwalia's successor. An announcement will be made after ICRIER's board meeting in April. Rakesh Mohan, however, was not available for comments.

Rakesh Mohan, who had joined the ministry in January 2001, had first resigned in October last year. Ashok Lahiri, director, National Institute of Public Finance and Policy, was tipped to take over as adviser. Rakesh Mohan later withdrew his resignation.

Shankar Acharya, honorary professor and acting director at ICRIER, retains the post of chief economic adviser in the finance ministry.

His 18-month sabbatical with ICRIER ends this October. Sources say the possibility of his return to the ministry cannot be ruled out.

Earlier, Rakesh Mohan was director-general of the National Council for Applied Economic Research before he was promoted as vice-chairman of Infrastructure Development Finance Company in 2000.

He has authored two reports on the country's infrastructure sector and headed a committee on railway reforms.

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