Expertise of Gita Gopinath to be used in some sectors: Govt

Kerala government today said it plans to utilise the experience of noted economist and Harvard Professor Gita Gopinath, financial advisor to Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, in some sectors.
Stating this in the assembly during question hour, Finance Minister T M Thomas Issac said government has a clear stand on issues and is moving forward on a minimum agenda. However, the assistance of experts can be used in some sectors, he said.
"Government has a clear basic policy. LDF had opposed neo-liberalism now and then also. The Front is in the process of searching a clear alternative for it," he said.

"We do not know if Gita Gopinath was a member of board of directors of any multinational company," he said, adding she has worked as advisor to the International Monetary Fund.
Issac said government would not allow anybody to interfere in forming the state's economic policy, but did not elaborate.
"The state government functions by remaining within the framework of federal system," he said.

To a question, he said government had not sought any advise from Gita Gopinath on availing loans from ADB and World Bank.
"Economists work in different branches. I am interested in political economics. International trade is another branch and it is Gita Gopinath's field of interest," he added.

The appointment of Gita Gopinath, as Financial Advisor to the CM of the CPI(M) led LDF government had raised eyebrows as there were reports that she was a supporter of neo-liberal policies.