BRIEF PROFILE OF SHRI PRANAB MUKHERJEE, FORMER PRESIDENT, WBPCC

Shri Pranab Mukherjee, former President of West Bengal Pradesh Congress Committee is Leader of the Lok Sabha, the lower and popular House of Indian Parliament and Minister of Finance of the Government of India. Seniour most member of the Congress Working Committee, Shri Mukherjee has served the Union Council of Ministers in various capacities including as Cabinet Minister of External Affairs, Minister of Defence, Minister of Commerce etc. and has played a key role in policy formulation and implementation for the Party and the Government. Government of India conferred Padmabibhusan to Shri Mukherjee for his distinctive contribution to the development of the country in 2008.

Son of Late Smt.Rajlakshmi Mukherjee and Late Shri Kamada Kinkar Mukherjee, Pranab Mukherjee was born on 11 December 1935 in Mirati, Kirnahar in Birbhum district of West Bengal. Late Shri Kamada Kinkar Mukherjee was a freedom fighter and was imprisoned for more than 10 years for his nationalist views and activities. He was an active participant in all mass movements organised by the Congress Party since 1920. A member of the AICC and a member of the Legislative Council of West Bengal (1952-1964), late Shri Mukherjee also served the Party as the President of the Birbhum District Congress Committee. Shri Pranab Mukherjee thus grew up in a nationalist and political environment and this has influenced and guided his political ideas and activities.

Shri Pranab Mukherjee was educated in Vidyasagar College, Suri, Birbhum and in Calcutta University. He possesses Masters Degree in History and Political Science and LL.B. degree. He has also been honoured with a D.Ltt. (Honoris Causa). He began his career as a teacher and journalist. He was associated with publications such as Deser Dak (Call of the Motherland) and ran the very famous Palli O Panchayat Sambad (News from Rural Areas and Panchayats) for a number of years. He has authored a number of books including Midterm Poll (1969), Beyond Survival: Emerging Dimensions of Indian Economy (1984), Off the Track (1987), Saga of Struggle and Sacrifice (1992) and Challenges Before the Nation (1992). The last two publications have been widely acclaimed as the first hand resource book on Indian National Congress-its history, ideology and philosophy. Shri Mukherjee was Trustee of Bangiya Sahitya Parishad (1984-1990) and President of Nikhil Bharat Banga Sahitya Sammelan (1995-2001). He served as the Chairman of the Planning Board of the Asiatic Society, Kolkata from 1984-1986 and during 1992-1996. He is a Trustee of Bidhan Memorial Trust, Kolkata since 1998.

Shri Pranab Mukherjee was first elected to Rajya Sabha in July 1969 and has been re-elected to the House in 1975,1981,1993 and 1999. He was elected to the Lok Sabha from Jangipur Parliamentary Constituency first in 2004 and then again in 2009 election to the Lok Sabha. Deputy Leader of the Congress Party in Rajya Sabha in 1978-1980, Shri Mukherjee was the Leader of the House in 1980-1985. Since 1996 he has been a Member of Business Advisory Committee, Committee on Privileges and Committee on Rules. A Member of Consultative Committee for External Affairs (1996-1999) and the Chairman of Department-related Parliamentary Standing Committee on Science and Technology, Environment and Forests, 1997, Shri Mukherjee is Chairman of Department-related Parliamentary Standing Committee on Home Affairs since June 1998. Shri Mukherjee was conferred the Best Parliamentarian Award for 1997 as a recognition of his contribution to debates in the Parliament and mastery of Parliamentary procedures. Shri Mukherjee is a regular contributor to teaching and programmes of the Bureau of Parliamentary Studies.

Shri Mukherjee has held various portfolios in the Union Council of Ministers. Deputy Minister, Industrial Development (February 1973-January 1974), Deputy Minister, Shipping and Transport (January 1974-October 1974), Minister of State for Finance (October 1974-December 1975) and Minister of Revenue and Banking (independent charge) during December 1975 to March 1977, Shri Mukherjee was appointed as Cabinet Minister of Commerce and Steel & Mines in January 1980. After serving this ministry for two years he was appointed as the Cabinet Minister of Finance in January to December 1984. He had also the additional charge of Ministry of Commerce and Supply between September - December 1984. Shri Mukherjee was appointed Deputy Chairman of the Planning Commission in June 1991 and he served the position up to May 1996. During this period he also served as the Cabinet Minister of Commerce (January 1993-February 1995) and as Cabinet Minister of External Affairs (February 1995-May 1996). He is presently Minister of Finance in the UPA II government. Earlier, during the UPA ! government, he was Minister of Defence and subsequently Minister of External Affairs.

Shri Pranab Mukherjee has been intimately involved with the leadership and organisational structure of the Congress Party. Since 10 August 1997 he is a Member of the Congress Working Committee (the highest policy making body of the Party). He served the Congress Working Committee as a Member during 27 January 1978 to 18 January 1986. He has been the President of the West Bengal Pradesh Congress Committee since August 2000, a position he also served in 1985. Shri Mukherjee was Member, Central Parliamentary Board, AICC (1978-1986), Treasurer, AICC (1978-1979), Treasurer, Congress (I) Party in Parliament (1978-1979), Chairman, Economic Advisory Cell, AICC (1987-1989). He was Chairman, Campaign Committee of AICC in respect of national elections in 1984,1991,1996 and 1998.

Shri Mukherjee has been involved with the policy and work of several international organisations and has served them in various capacities. He was Member, Board of Governors of International Monetary Fund (1982-1985), World Bank (1982-1985), Asian Development Bank (1982-1985) and the African Development Bank (1982-1985). He was Chairman, Group 24 (a ministerial group attached to IMF and World Bank) in 1984 and he presided over the SAARC Council of Ministers' Conference in May 1995 and November 1995. Shri Mukherjee was the Leader of Indian Delegations to several international meetings and conferences. Starting with the Colombo Plan Finance Ministers Conference in Singapore (1974) and Colombo (1975), he led the Indian Delegation to Non-Aligned Foreign Ministers Conference at Carte-Ghana in 1995. In between this period he was leader of the Indian Delegation to Commonwealth Finance Ministers' Conference (1982,1983 and 1984); Annual General Meeting of the World Bank and the IMF (1982,1983 and 1984); Annual General Meeting of Asian Development Bank (1982,1983 and 1984); Ministerial Conference of WTO, Marrakesh (1984), UN General Assembly (1994 and 1995); Social Summit at Copenhagen (1995); 40th Anniversary of Asian Conference, Bandung, 1995; and Conference of Commonwealth Heads of Governments (CHOGAM), Auckland (1996).

Widely acclaimed as the key figure in formulating economic policies of the country for a long time, Shri Mukherjee was judged as one of the best Five Finance Ministers of the World for 1984 by Euro Money (New York). Under his stewardship of the Finance Ministry, maximum outlay (in percentage terms) for development purposes was earmarked. His policy of active encouragement of savings resulted in steady rise of domestic savings. Under his leadership of the Ministry, actual deficit was lower than anticipated/declared. India also earned the rare distinction of not withdrawing the last instalment of IMF loan to the extent of US $ 1.1 billion under Shri Mukherjee's leadership of the Ministry. As the Union Commerce Minister, he contributed significantly to the negotiations leading to the establishment of WTO. He established a number of financial institutions including IRDB, NABARD and RRBs and these well running institutions are a testimony to his vision and leadership of the national economy.

Shri Pranab Mukherjee is married to Smt. Suvra Mukherjee. The couple has two sons and a daughter. Shri Mukherjee has travelled all over the world. Reading, Gardening and listening to music are his favourite pastime and recreation. He stays in New Delhi (13 Talkatora Road, New Delhi 110001) and in Kolkata (2-A, 1st Floor, 60/27, Kabi Bharati Sarani (Lake Road), Kolkata 700029.