Marxist economist Ashok Mitra dead
Kolkata: Eminent Marxist economist Ashok Mitra, who served as chief economic adviser during Indira Gandhi's prime ministerial tenure and as Finance Minister of West Bengal, passed away at a nursing home here on Tuesday following old age complications. He was 89.
The Sahitya Akademi awardee was a widower.
Mitra, who was minister in the state's Left Front government, was hospitalised for almost a month with complaints of diarrhoea and later developed respiratory problems. He passed away at 9.15 a.m.
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee condoled Mitra's death.
Ashok Mitra, an eminent Indian Marxist economist and politician has passed away today. He was Finance Minister of West Bengal from 1977–87. We express our condolence to his family. pic.twitter.com/67oyz1Ok7f
— CPI(M) WEST BENGAL (@CPIM_WESTBENGAL) May 1, 2018
"Saddened at the passing away of noted economist, former Finance Minister of Bengal and former Rajya Sabha MP, Dr Ashok Mitra. He had a long career with the World Bank, IIM Calcutta and as Chief Economic Adviser to the Government of India. Condolences to his family & well wishers," she said in a tweet.
Saddened at the passing away of noted economist,former Finance Minister of Bengal and former Rajya Sabha MP, Dr Ashok Mitra. He had a long career with the World Bank, IIM Calcutta and as Chief Economic Adviser to the Government of India. Condolences to his family & well wishers
— Mamata Banerjee (@MamataOfficial) May 1, 2018
Condolence: Ashok Mitra. A prolific writer, he contributed regularly to various dailies & magazines. And his writings were not only limited to economics and politics. Of late he had been editing a Bengali magazine Aarek Rakam. We convey our profound grief https://t.co/ej6XL226jU
— Sitaram Yechury (@SitaramYechury) May 1, 2018