Eminent MarxistEconomistAshok Mitra, who served as Chief Economic Adviserduring Indira Gandhi's prime ministerial tenure and as Finance Ministerof West Bengal, passed away at a nursing home here on Tuesday following old age complications. He was 89.
The Sahitya Akademi awardee was a widower.
Mitra, who was Ministerin the state's Left Front government, was hospitalised for almost a month with complaints of diarrhoea and later developed respiratory problems. He passed away at 9.15 a.m.
Rated as a brilliant scholar, Mitrachaired the Agricultural Prices Commissionfor four years from 1968 and served as Chief Economic Adviserto the Central Governmentbetween 1970 and 1972.
After the Communist Party of India-Marxist-led Left Front came to power in West Bengalin 1977, Mitrawas one of the first five ministers to be sworn in alongside Chief MinisterJyoti Basuafter he won the Assembly polls from Rashbehari.
Handed the Finance portfolio, Mitravigorously sought more powers for the states. He campaigned countrywide on the issue, playing a good part in forcing the Central Governmentto set up the Sarkaria Commissionthat examined the relationship and balance of power between state and the Centre and suggested changes within the framework of the Indian Constitution.
Mitralost the election in 1982, but was brought back to the Cabinet after he won the bypolls from Jadavpur.
However, he developed differences with the Chief Ministerand CPI-M topguns on the matter of restructuring payscales for principals of state government-aided colleges, and resigned in 1986.
In 1991, Mitravolunteered to contest from the Chowringhee Assemblyconstituency against Congresscandidate and former West BengalChief MinisterSiddhartha Ray, whom he had often berated for his "semi-fascist rule" in the state in the 1970s. Mitracampaigned hard, but lost.
In the mid-1990s, the CPI-M made him a member of the Rajya Sabha, where he served as Chairmanof the Parliament's Standing Committee On Industry And Commerce
Born in Dhakain 1928, Mitradid his graduation from the University Of Daccaand post-graduation in economics from Benaras Hindu University
He also studied in the Delhi School Of Economicsin the early 1950s.
As an academician, he taught Economics at the University Of Lucknowbefore proceeding to the Netherlands, where Mitragot his doctorate in 1953 from University Of Rotterdam(now The NetherlandsSchool of Economics) under Jan Tinbergen (who later won the Nobel Prize). His doctoral thesis was titled "Share of Wages in National Income".
He also worked with the National Council Of Applied Economic Researchand briefly served as Officeron Special Duty in the Ministry Of Finance
Mitrahad a stint with the United Nations Economic And Social Commission For Asia And The Pacificat Bangkokand in 1961, joined as a Teacherat Economic Development InstituteIn Washington
On his return to India, Mitrabecame a Professor Of Economicsat the Indian Instituteof Management, Calcutta(IIM-C).
A Prolific Writerin both English and Bengali, Mitrapenned regular newspaper columns, and even reported on The 1996 Cricket World Cupfor The Telegraph
In 1996, his collection of Bengali essays "Tal Betal" won the Sahitya Akademi award.
Mitra's repertory of Bengali books include "Okhatha-Kukatha", "Ochenake Chine-Chine", "Kabita Theke Michhila, "Nastikatar Baire", "Charitrabali", "Tal-Betal" and the much-acclaimed memoir Apila Chapila.
West BengalChief MinisterMamata Banerjeecondoled Mitra's death.
"Saddened at the passing away of noted economist, former Finance Ministerof Bengal and former Rajya SabhaMP, Dr Ashok Mitra He had a long career with the World Bank, IIM Calcuttaand as Chief Economic Adviserto the Government Of India Condolences to his family & well wishers," she said in a tweet.
--IANS
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