S Narayan

Biography

 University of Madras (Madras Christian College) M.Sc. Physics University of Adelaide, South Australia -Master of Business Management (Finance) University of Cambridge, U.K. - M.Phil-Development Economics Indian Institute of Technology, Delhi -PhD   Nearly four decades (1965 to 2004) in public service in the State and Central Governments, in Development administration. Lastly (2003-2004) was Economic Adviser to the Prime Minister, and was responsible for implementation of economic policies of over 30 Ministries including Finance, Commerce & Industry, Petroleum, Agriculture, Shipping, Road Transport & Highways, Power, etc. The responsibility in this task was monitoring of the special economic agenda of the Cabinet on behalf of the Prime Minister's Office.   Prior to this assignment, was in Government of India as Finance & Economic Affairs Secretary, Secretary in the Departments of Revenue, Petroleum, Industrial Development and Coal since 1997. As Secretary, Petroleum & Natural Gas was responsible for policy formulation and implementation in the hydrocarbon sector, particularly, dismantling of the Administered Price Mechanism and disinvestments.   Between 2000 and 2003, in the Ministry of Finance, responsibilities have included formulation of macro-economic policy for the Government, tariff and taxation policies as well as initiatives for modernizing the capital markets. Reforms in the Banking Sector and in financial Institutions were a major focus of this responsibility. Was one of the key players in formulating the national Budget between 2000and 2004. Special interests include public finance, energy policy, governance issues and international trade.   As Secretary, Rural Development in Tamil Nadu for several years between 1989 and 1995 was responsible for launching micro-credit group initiatives for the rural sector. This initiative has now blossomed into over three lakh groups in Tamil Nadu. Initiated several sustainable development programmes, including social forestry, water management and self-employment programme for the economically disadvantaged. Worked for four years (1992-1995) in an inter-Governmental Institution, sponsored by the FAO, in Dhaka, Bangladesh looking at rural development programmes in eleven South Asian and South East Asian countries.   Visiting faculty at several academic institutions including the National Academy at Mussoorie.   Contributes regularly to newspapers, including Financial Express, Hindustan Times, Economic Times etc., on issues relating to public policy, governance, public finance, trade and energy.

Research Interest

  Pharmaceutical