Niti Aayog CEO Amitabh Kant (File photo)

NEW DELHI: Amitabh Kant was on Wednesday given a two-year extension as chief executive officer of Niti Aayog , an official order said.

The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet has approved the extension of Kant's tenure for a further period of two years beyond June 30, 2019, i.e. up to June 30, 2021, on the same terms and conditions, the personnel ministry said in the order.

He was appointed as CEO on February 17, 2016, for a two-year term. Kant was later given an extension till June 30, 2019.

Before taking over as the CEO of National Institution for Transforming India (Niti Aayog), he was secretary, department of industrial policy and promotion, which has been rechristened as the department for promotion of industry and internal trade.

"Kant has been a key driver of the 'Make in India', 'Startup India', 'Incredible India' and 'God’s Own Country' initiatives that positioned India as leading manufacturing and tourism destination," government thinktank stated on its website.

He "also conceptualised the 'Atithi Devo Bhavah' – 'Guest is God' campaign to train taxi drivers, guides, immigration officials and make them stake holders in the tourism development process," it added.

Kant did his schooling from Modern School, Delhi, graduation in Economics (Honours) from St Stephens, Delhi University and masters from Jawaharlal Nehru University.

