More than economists, it is former union finance secretaries who are the appointees of choice for most states as economic advisors. Four of them are now in the ranks of advisors in different states. Following them are former chief secretaries.

       Economists, despite the flutter created by Tamil Nadu, seem to rank after them. Among the list of economists, the Economic Advisory Council of Tamil Nadu obviously leads them all. Getting Raghuram Rajan, Esther Duflo, Jean Dreze and Arvind Subramanian on the same table is a lead other states could take time to figure out and follow. Yet, even in ...