Chairman Of PM's Economic Advisory Council, Bibek Debroy, Dies At 69

Economist Bibek Debroy, who served as the chairman of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's economic advisory council, passed away today at the age of 69.

A recipient of the Padma Shri award, Debroy was previously the chancellor of the Gokhale Institute of Politics and Economics (GIPE) in Pune.

Photo Credit: PTI

According to AIIMS Delhi, "Bibek Debroy passed away today at 7 am due to intestinal obstruction."

Prime Minister Modi expressed his condolences, describing Debroy as a "towering scholar."

In a social media post, he stated, "Dr. Bibek Debroy Ji was a towering scholar, well-versed in diverse domains like economics, history, culture, politics, spirituality and more. Through his works, he left an indelible mark on India's intellectual landscape. Beyond his contributions to public policy, he enjoyed working on our ancient texts, making them accessible to the youth."

Debroy was educated at Ramakrishna Mission School, Narendrapur; Presidency College, Kolkata; the Delhi School of Economics; and Trinity College, Cambridge.

His career included positions at Presidency College, Kolkata; Gokhale Institute of Politics and Economics, Pune; and the Indian Institute of Foreign Trade, Delhi.

He also served as the Director of a Ministry of Finance/UNDP project on legal reforms.

Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan remembered Debroy as an "excellent academician," stating, "Deeply saddened by the passing of Dr. Bibek Debroy.

He was a distinguished economist, a prolific author, as well as an excellent academician. He will be admired for his policy guidance on economic issues and noteworthy contributions to India's development.

His columns in newspapers enriched and enlightened millions. Dr. Debroy leaves behind a lasting legacy in the world of economics, academia, and literature. My sincere condolences to his family and friends. May Almighty grant Sadgati to the departed. Om Shanti."

Debroy was also a Member of NITI Aayog until June 5, 2019, and had authored or edited numerous books, papers, and popular articles, in addition to serving as a Consulting/Contributing Editor for various newspapers.