Economist Jean Dreze dropped from speakers list at govt conf

 Jean Dreze, a noted economist who was was a member of Sonia Gandhi led National Advisory Council (NAC), was dropped from the list of speakers at the Delhi Economics Conclave organised by the Finance Ministry and inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Dreze, who was to speak at the conference on government's pet schemes of Jan Dhan-Aadhaar-Mobile (JAM trinity), later put his speech on a news portal in which he spoke of dangers fraught in government's push for high-tech cash transfers as a foundation for social policy.

In an email to PTI, the economist said he was informed of his name being dropped from the panel of speakers at the conference two days ago.

"...I am deeply disappointed, and also concerned that the Conclave has turned into a mutual appreciation society with everyone on the same side," Dreze said.

Chief Economic Advisor Arvind Subramanian, who had sent the letter of invitation to him, however, tried to played down the matter by saying that the cancellation was due to "last minute adjustments" in the schedule of the conference and it had nothing to do with his views.

"As soon as we had decided, we informed Jean Dreze about it. Just want to make clear, this has nothing to do with views, because the Finance Minister himself personally called the Kerala Chief Minister. It is not based on views or anything and everyone is welcome to attend," he said.

Subramanian, who had originally extended an invitation to Dreze to attend the one-day Conclave, said Kerala Chief Minister, who belongs to the Congress party, was invited.
He said Nandan Nilekani, who headed Unique Identification Authority during the UPA regime, "is of course is going to have prominent seat in the programme".

He said they respected Professor Dreze very highly and he is welcome to attend the conclave.

Dreze however said he was told he would not even be allowed to attend the Conclave.
"On the train to Delhi (two days ago), I received a call from a functionary from the Ministry of Finance who explained, with some embarrassment, that I had been dropped from the programme and would not even be allowed to attend. No reason was given," he said.