Amitabh Kant, on Wednesday, 26 June, was given a two-year extension as Chief Executive Officer of NITI Aayog, an official order said, according to PTI.
His current term was to conclude on 30 June.
The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet has approved the extension of Kant’s tenure for a further period of two years beyond 30 June, i.e. till 30 June 2021, on the same terms and conditions, the Personnel Ministry said in the order.
Kant, who is a 1980 batch IAS officer of the Kerala cadre, took charge as the first full-time CEO of National Institution for Transforming India (NITI) Aayog on 17 February 2016, after his superannuation as Secretary in Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT), formerly known as Department of Industrial Policy and Promotion (DIPP), according to Moneycontrol.
Key Driver of ‘Make in India’, ‘Startup India’
Kant has been instrumental in driving the 'Make in India,' 'Startup India' and 'Incredible India' initiatives, which positioned India and Kerala as leading manufacturing and tourism destinations, the government think-tank said on its website.
Kant also conceptualised the 'Atithi Devo Bhavah' – 'Guest is God' campaign to train taxi drivers, guides, immigration officials and make them stakeholders in the tourism development process.
Kant prompted the 'Ease of Doing Business' initiative and ranking states on outcome parameters as the Secretary (Industries) Government of India, the NITI Aayog website further stated.
(With inputs from PTI and Moneycontrol.)
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