Introduction : Dr. Raja Jesudoss Chelliah, M.A, Ph.D[U.S ] was one of the most outstanding Economists of India with international reputation . He was a multi faceted personality, he was a reputed Economist , Fiscal Policy Expert, Economics Professor , Author of many outstanding books and Founder of National Institute of Public Finance and Policy and Madras School of Economics.,etc.,. He was called as Father of India's Tax Reform. He served as Member of Planning Commission of India, between 1985-1990 with great distinction. and Fiscal Adviser to the then Finance Minister of India . His outstanding service to the nation was recognized by the Government of India and the Government of India honoured him the with prestigious Padma Vibushan Award in 2007.
Dr. Raja Chelliah , M.A [Eco], Ph.D,[USA ]
Raja Chelliah's Siblings and their families: Dr. Raja J Chelliah's parents were blessed with four smart children namely:[1] Dr. Raja Jesudoss Chelliah , [2] Mrs.Dr .Vijayalakshmi Sekar ,[3] Samuel Devadas Chelliah , and [4] Mrs. Suguna Priyam Durai Raj . It is pertinent here to mention that Ms. Dr. Vijyalakshmi married Dr. Sekar from Srirangam and Dr Sekar served as a Super Senior grade Medical Doctor in the Government .Mrs Dr.Vijayalekshi Sekar and Dr. Sekar couple was blessed with two smart sons and one lovely daughter. Ms Suguna Priyam's husband Mr. Wilson Durai Raj , IFS {Indian Forest Service ] worked in the Forest Department, Government of Tamil Nadu and retired as Conservator of Forests , Government of Tamil Nadu . Mrs Suguna Priyam Durai Raj and Mr Durai Raj couple was blessed with three sons including Dr. Suresh Chelliah. .Dr..Suresh Chelliah has married Ms. Sheela [ daughter of Mr Rev Robert Rajasekaran and Mrs Johnny Annamuthu Robert Rajasekaran of Nagercoil].and this couple is blessed with two lovely children namely;[1]Ms. Archana Chelliah, B.E, M.B.A, C.I.I. SCM Pro, and [2] Mr Daniel Chelliah and now Daniel is doing his MA[English] at the famous Bishop Heber College , Trichy.. Dr Suresh Chelliah is a famous Child Specialist Doctor in Trichy.[ I had the privilege of meeting Dr. Raja Jesudoss Chelliah, when he attended his nephew Dr Suresh Chelliah's wedding with Ms Sheela, at Nagercoil ].
Dr. Raja Chelliah's Wife and Children : Dr. Raja Chelliah was married to Ms Sita and this couple gave birth to two daughters namely :[1] Ms. Dr. Masilla Mallika Chelliah and [ 2] this daughter's name will be provided here later .
Dr. Raja Chellaih got Fulbright Scholarship for his Ph.D :: Dr. Raja J Chelliah was a very brilliant student all through his life. After having meritoriously passed his M.A in economics {Madras University ] he joined as a Lecturer in the Economics Department, in the prestigious Madras Christian College, Tambaram and after having worked as Lecturer for 5 years in an efficacious manner in Madras Christian College, Tambaram, he got a Fulbright Scholarship to do his PhD in Economics at the famous University of Pittsburg, Pennsylvania USA.
His Professional Career after his return from U.S. with a Ph.D degree : After having returned from US, Dr Raja Chelliah worked as a Senior Economist at the , "National Council of Applied Economic Research [ NCAER }, New Delhi [ 1958--1960 ]. Then Dr. K. Raja Chelliah got the privilege to work as a Reader and Professor of Economics at the Department of Economics, at the prestigious University of Rajasthan for nearly six years. with distinction [ 1960-- 1966 ] . After that Dr Raja Chellaiah served as Professor of Economics at the famous Osmania University, Hydrabad for nearly four years [ 1966--1969 ].
Dr. Raja Chelliah worked In I.M.F : Dr. Raja Chelliah got the privilege to work as Chief of the Fiscal Analysis Department of IMF for nearly seven years between 1969-- 1975. with great efficacy and proved himself as a great Economic and Fiscal Analyst and Thinker
He Founded the National Institute of Public Finance and Policy ; As an innovative Economic thinker and an expert in the field of Public Finance Dr Raja Chelliah founded the famous National Institute of Public Finance and Policy in 1976 and served as its Founding Director with great commitment between 1976-- 1985 and during this period he built this Institution into a full fledged Research Institution in fiscal matters..
Dr. Raja Chelliah served as a Member of Planning Commission [ 1987--1989 ] : The Government of India appointed Dr. Raja Chellaih as a Member of Planning of India in 1987 and he worked as a Member of Planning Commission during the period from 1987 to 1989 with great efficiency , vision , brain storming economic ideas and efficacy .
Dr. Raja Chelliah Served as Chairman of the Tax Reforms Committee [ 1991- 1993] ; The then Government of India rightly recognised his economic wisdom and appointed Dr. Raja Chelliah as the Chairman of the Tax Reforms Committee of the Government of India. And as Chairman of the Tax Reforms Committee, Dr. Raja Chelliah introduced many notable and note worthy recommendations and reforms and he was appreciated both by the Government and countrymen. And aptly he was called as the Father of Tax Reform in India . As Chairman of Tax Reforms Committee he set up the the basement for reducing Import Duties and paved the way for the economic liberalisation in India
Conclusion : Dr. Raja Chelliah served as the Chairman of the Tax Reforms and Revenue Augmentation Commission of Govt of Tamil Nadu during 2002 -- 2003 with great expertise and efficacy Dr. Raja Chelliah was a remarkable Institution builder He was the Founder of the prestigious Madras School of Economics and there he served as a Professor Emeritus . He also had the privilege to serve as a Member in the 9th Finance Commission, Govt of India and also to serve as Fiscal Adviser in the Ministry of Finance , Govt of India [1993-- 1995 ] . He had authored some famous books namely :[1] Towards Sustainable Growth : Essays in Fiscal and Financial Sector Reforms in India [1996], [2] Eco Taxes on Polluting inputs and outputs [2007 ], [3] Income - Poverty and Beyond [2002], [4] Reports on India's Reforms with Vijay l. Kelkara-[2003] , etc,. The Government of India honoured Dr. Raja Chelliah with the prestigious Padma Vibhushan Award in 2007. Dr. Raja Chelliah died on 7th April , 2009 and on his death Mother India had lost a great Iconic Economist and a Patriotic Son .
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By P. Babu Manoharan .[ Rights reserved . this Article will be enlarged , modified and corrected later if needed ].
