Summary:
Thiruvananthapuram: Economist Gita Gopinath , who was recently selected as chief economist of International Monetary Fund (IMF), stepped down as economic advisor to the chief minister of Kerala last week. Sources said her resignation was accepted by chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan and she was relieved of all her responsibilities. There was difference of opinion within the CPM on her appointment. Veteran leader V S Achuthanandan had written to the party central leadership about the impropriety of getting onboard a neo-liberal economist. Gopinath, who is a proponent of neo-liberal policies and had supported NDA government’s controversial land bill and decision to deregulate diesel price, was invited to take up the role by Vijayan himself..