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Dr, S. Mahalingam (b. 1952) got his Master's degree in Rural Economics and Co-operation at Rural College, Coimatore, and was awarded Gold Medal for distinction at P.G. level. He obtained the Ph.D.degree in Economics from the University of Madras in 1986 and underwent advanced research training conducted by the Indian Statistical Institute, Calcutta. He has contributed a number of research papers to leadaing research journals within and outside the country and has attended several regional, national and international seminars, coferences and workshops. Dr. Mahalingam is currently serving as Assistant Director (Eco.) in the National Institute of Rural Development, Hyderabad. He has conducted several empirical and evaluation studies sponsored by the Union Government and international organisations and carried out a number of training programmes and workshops on rural development, tribal economic development programmes and co-operative enterprises for senior Government officials.

Central Vigilance Commissioner, (Retd.) in a career of more than 40 years in the IAS, has held a number of assignments at the Government of Gujarat, Central Government as well as in a Joint Sector Enterprise. He has been Chairman, Telecom Commission and Secretary. Department of Telecommunication, Government of India, Chairman, Public Enterprises Selection Board; Managing Director, Gujarat Narmada Valley Fertiliser Company Limited; and Secretary, Department of Electronics, Government of India. As Chairman, Telecom Commission, Mr. Vittal initiated the process of liberalization in the Telecom sector and played a major role in getting the Telecom Policy 1994 approved. As Secretary, Department of Electronics, he initiated the concept of software exports to zoom. As Chairman, Public Enterprises Selection Board, he initiated measures for greater transparency and speed in the function of PESB. A prolific writer Mr. Vittal is a regular contributor to journals, magazines and newspapers including The Economic and Political Weekly. The Economic Times, Financial Express, Business India and Several professional journals. He has authored seven books: India Incorporated: Reflections on the Indian electronic Industry, The Vicious Cycle of Vittal’s Law, The Red Tape Guerilla, Fighting Corruption and Restructuring Government, Information Technology: India’s Tomorrow and Public Sector Governance & Management, Vittal has not only been a successful civil servant, but has also been included by the Business Today magazine in their list, prepared at the time of Golden Jubilee of India’s Independence in 1997, of 50 men and women who made a contribution to the economy of the country in the fifty years after independence.