Parameswaran Iyer, of Swachchh Bharat Mission fame, new Niti Aayog CEO

Former Drinking Water & Sanitation Secretary Parameswaran Iyer, who spearheaded the Swachchh Bharat Mission, has been appointed as Niti Aayog CEO
Niti Aayog CEO, Parmeswaran Iyer
Niti Aayog CEO, Parmeswaran Iyer

New Delhi: Former Drinking Water and Sanitation Secretary Parameswaran Iyer, who spearheaded the Swachchh Bharat Mission, was on Friday appointed as Niti Aayog CEO, according to a government order. He will replace Amitabh Kant, who will demit office on June 30. Iyer has been appointed for two years or until further orders, whichever is earlier, the personnel ministry order stated.

According to the order, Iyer's appointment has been made on the same terms and conditions as were applicable for Kant.

Parameswaran Iyer new Niti Aayog CEO

A 1981-batch IAS officer of Uttar Pradesh cadre, Iyer is a well-known sanitation specialist, and best known for spearheading Prime Minister Narendra Modi government's flagship scheme the Swachh Bharat Mission between 2016 and 2020.

Iyer had taken voluntary retirement from the Indian Administrative Service (IAS) in 2009. He had also worked as a senior rural water sanitation specialist at the United Nations.

Outgoing Niti Aayog CEO Kant played a key role in Niti Aayog's policy making, with a focus on digital India, asset monetisation, disinvestment, aspirational districts programme and electric vehicles, among others. In his career spanning over four decades, Kant is credited as the key driver behind highly successful initiatives such as 'Incredible India,' 'Start up India,' and 'God's Own Country'.

He was appointed as the CEO of the Niti Aayog on February 17, 2016, for a fixed two-year term. Kant was later given an extension till June 30, 2019. His term was further extended for two years till June 2021, and then another one-year extension was given till June 30 this year. Kant was the second chief executive officer of NITI Aayog, a public policy think tank of the Government of India. He is a 1980-batch retired IAS officer of Kerala cadre.

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