He conceptualised NYAY: Rahul

Tribune News Service
New Delhi, October 14

Former PM Manmohan Singh led the salutations for economist Abhijit Banerjee who today received the Nobel Prize in Economics.

Congress chief Sonia Gandhi and former party chief Rahul Gandhi also joined Singh in lauding the economist. Manmohan Singh in a personally signed letter to Banerjee said, “It gives me immense pleasure and pride to know that you are now the second Indian to receive a Nobel Prize in Economics, after my dear friend Prof Amartya Sen.”

Singh said he was delighted that Banerjee’s wife has also received the award. While he confined his congratulatory message to Banerjee’s body of work, Rahul drew the link between Congress’ LS election manifesto promise of NYAY — minimum income guarantee scheme — and Banerjee.

Gandhi took swipes at PM in his praise for Banerjee and wrote, “Abhijit helped conceptualise NYAY that had the power to destroy poverty and boost Indian economy. Instead we now have Modinomics, that’s destroying the economy and boosting poverty.”

Sonia said, “Apart from making the nation of his origin proud, Banerjee’s and his fellow recipient’s work has helped millions across the globe come out of poverty.”