Noted economist Shaibal Gupta passes away at 67; Nitish announces cremation with state honors

PATNA: Noted economist Shaibal Gupta passed away on Thursday evening after prolonged illness. He was 67.
A statement issued by Asia Development Research Institute (ADRI), which was founded by Gupta, stated that he had been suffering from chronic health problems for some time, and was hospitalised couple of days back.
Besides being a renowned social scientist, he was widely known as an institution-builder, and establishment of ADRI was his most important achievement.His contribution to the field of development economics, in general, and development challenges of Bihar, in particular, had received wide attention in both India and abroad.
Gupta was doing research in the field of economics and industrial economics for the last two decades. He was also the director of the Centre for Economic Policy and Public Finance (CEPPF), which has been set-up in ADRI by the Bihar government as a dedicated centre for research on public finance.
Gupta has worked on various research projects with the Institute of Development Studies, Sussex; International Labour Organisation; World Bank and London School of Economics.
He was also a highly knowledgeable commentator on social and political affairs.
He is survived by his wife, daughter, son-in-law and grand- daughter who were all by his bed-side at the time of his departure.
People from cross section of the society expressed condolence on his demise. CM Nitish Kumar said in his condolence message that Gupta’s cremation will be done with state honours.
“Gupta made important contributions in several economic reforms in Bihar by being a member of state finance commission as well as several other bodies. I had personal relations with Shaibal Gupta Ji. I am deeply saddened with his demise,” Nitish said.
Former deputy CM and Rajya Sabha MP Sushil Kumar Modi said the annual economic survey of Bihar government was prepared based on economic and social studies done by Gupta and other experts in ADRI.
Senior BJP functionaries, including party’s Bihar in- charge Bhupendra Yadav said Gupta played key role in important economic institutions not only in Bihar, but across the country and entire world. Union minister Nityanand Rai said economic and social development sectors have suffered a deep loss with the demise of Gupta. BJP’s state president Dr Sanjay Jaiswal, party’s state general secretary Devesh Kumar as well as RJD’s national vice- president Shivanand Tiwari also condoled the demise of Gupta.