New Delhi: Noted economist Arjun Sengupta has been appointed chairman of the National Commission for promotion of Enterprises (NCPE) in the Unorganised/Informal Sector, set up by a Cabinet decision yesterday (Sep 17,2004).

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh approved the appointment of Sengupta, a former Member of the Planning Commission.

Sengupta, a former professor in Jawaharlal Nehru University has also served at the International Monetary Fund. The notification issued in this regard said he has been given a Cabinet rank.

The Commission will have three members whose names will be announced shortly.

The Commission has been mandated to review the current status of the sector, promote enterprise, and suggest ways to redesign existing programmes for employment generation in the informal/unorganised sector.

It has been asked to identify innovative legal and financial instruments to promote the growth of the informal sector for employment and exports.