Who is Princeton Prof. Ashoka Mody falsifying India’s growth data?

Princeton Prof. Ashoka Mody has raised concerns about India's economic data. Ahead of the G20 summit, Indian authorities have presented impressive GDP growth figures. However, Prof. Mody argues that these figures mask a harsh reality: low growth, increasing inequality, and a lack of jobs.

He emphasizes discrepancies in India's economic data, pointing out that one should consider both income and expenditure for a comprehensive assessment. While India's GDP growth may appear robust, it conceals underlying issues such as rising inequality and job scarcity. Mody calls for a more transparent approach to India's economic health.

Princeton Prof. Ashoka Mody's analysis underscores the importance of accurate economic data for making informed policy decisions. Inflated growth figures can lead to misplaced optimism and hinder efforts to address pressing issues like inequality and unemployment.

Governments should employ clear and comprehensive methodologies when they present economic statistics. By showcasing the genuine condition of the economy, this practice facilitates more efficient policymaking and the resolution of the actual issues confronting their constituents.

Who is Princeton Prof. Ashoka Mody?

Ashoka Mody, born on January 14, 1956, is an American economist currently serving as the Charles and Marie Robertson Visiting Professor in International Economic Policy and Lecturer in Public and International Affairs at the Princeton School of Public and International Affairs.

In terms of his education, Mody initially pursued Electronics at the Indian Institute of Technology in Madras. Following his B.Tech. degree in 1978, he shifted his focus to economics and completed his M.Phil. in Applied Economics at the Centre for Development Studies in Trivandrum in 1979. Subsequently, he worked as a Research Associate there and later obtained his PhD in Economics from Boston University in 1986.

Mody began his career by briefly working as a member of the technical staff at AT&T Bell Laboratories. He then joined the World Bank in 1987 and remained there until 2003.

During his career, he also spent time as a visiting professor of public policy at the Wharton School in 1997/1998. From 2001 until his retirement, Mody served as the Assistant Director of the International Monetary Fund's European Department. He is known for his opposition to fiscal austerity as a solution to credit crises.

Mody authored books on economics

Notably, Mody was the chief IMF representative to Ireland during Ireland's troika bailout. He criticized the severity of the austerity measures imposed on Ireland and questioned the Irish Government's lack of solidarity with other indebted EU nations. Mody also expressed concerns about Ireland's heavy reliance on U.S. multinationals for its business model following the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 reforms.

He says that India’s economic data has discrepancies, and he emphasizes that a comprehensive assessment should include both income and expenditure.

Authorities issue arrest warrant for Mohau Mercy Mathibe, who had trial period at IMF under Mody and believed motivated by denied promotion.

Ashoka Mody is married and has two children. He is also the author of several books, including "Foreign Direct Investment and the World Economy" (2014), "EuroTragedy: A Drama in Nine Acts" (2018), and "India Is Broken: A People Betrayed, Independence to Today" (2023).

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