Dr. M. Govinda Rao, 62 years, is an Independent Director on our Board since December 20, 2007. He has a doctorate degree in Economics from Sambalpur University, Orissa and post doctoral training at the University of Maryland, College Park, USA. Currently, Dr. Rao is a Director, National Institute of Public Finance and Policy, New Delhi. He is also a member of Economic Advisory Council to the Prime Minister of India. Prior to joining our Board, he has served as the Director, Institute for Social and Economic Change, Bangalore during the period 1998 to 2002, Fellow, Research School of Pacific and Asian Studies, Australian National University, Canberra, Australia for the period 1995 to 1998. Dr. Rao has also served as the chairman and member of several committees at both central and state levels on various matters related to fiscal policy, tax policy and reforms and fiscal federalism. He is a member of board of governors of Institute of Economic Growth, New Delhi and Madras School of Economics. He has been a consultant to the World Bank, International Monetary Fund, Asian Development Bank, UNDP and Financial and Fiscal Commission, Republic of South Africa. He has authored thirteen books and a number of articles in international journals. He is also a columnist in the newspaper daily Business Standard. He is also a member of the RBI’s Southern Area Local Board.