Puntsagiin Jasrai
Encyclopedia
Puntsagiin Jasrai was a Mongolia
n politician. He was the Prime Minister of Mongolia
from 21 July 1992 until 19 July 1996.
Higher School of Economics with a degree in agricultural economics. From 1970-1975 he served as chairman of the State Prices Committee. In 1973 he was elected a deputy of the People's Great Hural for the first of four times from 1973 to 1986. From 1976-1978 he was head of the planning and finance department of the MPRP Central Committee. In 1978 he became first deputy chairman of the State Planning Commission and in 1984 he was appointed deputy charman of the Council of Ministers. In 1988 he became first deputy chairman of the Council of Ministers. He became a candidate member of the Politburo
in 1989.
In the mid-1980s Jasrai became one of Mongolia's earliest proponents of free market reforms.
With the collapse of communist power in 1990 Jasrai resigned his government and party posts and became president of the Association of Mongolian Production and Services Cooperatives. In this role he was able to make several consultative visits to foreign countries where he established important contacts for the development of Mongolia's economy. He was characterized as straightforward and honest.
on June 28, 1992 representing constituency 26 in Ulaanbaatar
. At the Hural's first session on 20 July 1992 he was appointed prime minister. Before the selection Jasrai had told the members of the State Great Hural that he was "not a politician, rather a simple Economist" and promised that, if elected, he would work towards the expanding economic development and democracy in Mongolia.
In June 1993 Jasrai visited the United States
and met with government representatives and took part in an economic symposium. He alse met with World Bank
and International Monetary Fund
representatives and spoke at the National Press Club
.
In summer 1993 opposition parties strongly criticized Jasrai and his government for not doing enough to prevent a worsening of the economy and they continued calls for his resignation throughout most of his term in office. During this period opposition parties joined to creat the Mongolian Democratic Union
coalition. In July 1996 parliamentary elections the Democratic Union proved victorious, ushering the first non-MPRP government since Mongolia's independence in 1921. Mendsaikhany Enkhsaikhan was subsequently appointed Prime Minister. Jasrai retained his seat in the State Great Hural
until 2004.
Mongolia
Mongolia is a landlocked country in East and Central Asia. It is bordered by Russia to the north and China to the south, east and west. Although Mongolia does not share a border with Kazakhstan, its western-most point is only from Kazakhstan's eastern tip. Ulan Bator, the capital and largest...
n politician. He was the Prime Minister of Mongolia
Prime Minister of Mongolia
The Prime Minister of Mongolia is the highest member of the Mongolian government's executive arm, and heads the Mongolian cabinet. The Prime Minister is appointed by Parliament, and can be removed by a vote of no confidence.-Powers:...
from 21 July 1992 until 19 July 1996.
Education and early career
Jasrai was born in 1933 in the Bugat sum of the Govi-Altai Province. In 1950 he graduated from high school in Tonkhil district of Govi-Altai Province. He then worked for six years as Education inspector from 1950 to 1956. During this time he joined the Mongolian People's Revolutionary Party (MPRP) in 1951. In 1961 he graduated from the MoscowMoscow
Moscow is the capital, the most populous city, and the most populous federal subject of Russia. The city is a major political, economic, cultural, scientific, religious, financial, educational, and transportation centre of Russia and the continent...
Higher School of Economics with a degree in agricultural economics. From 1970-1975 he served as chairman of the State Prices Committee. In 1973 he was elected a deputy of the People's Great Hural for the first of four times from 1973 to 1986. From 1976-1978 he was head of the planning and finance department of the MPRP Central Committee. In 1978 he became first deputy chairman of the State Planning Commission and in 1984 he was appointed deputy charman of the Council of Ministers. In 1988 he became first deputy chairman of the Council of Ministers. He became a candidate member of the Politburo
Politburo
Politburo , literally "Political Bureau [of the Central Committee]," is the executive committee for a number of communist political parties.-Marxist-Leninist states:...
in 1989.
In the mid-1980s Jasrai became one of Mongolia's earliest proponents of free market reforms.
With the collapse of communist power in 1990 Jasrai resigned his government and party posts and became president of the Association of Mongolian Production and Services Cooperatives. In this role he was able to make several consultative visits to foreign countries where he established important contacts for the development of Mongolia's economy. He was characterized as straightforward and honest.
Prime minister
Jasrai was elected to the Mongolian State Great HuralState Great Hural
The State Great Khural is the unicameral Parliament of Mongolia.It is located in the Government Palace.- Structure :All 76 members represents 26 multi-member constituencies, and are elected by bloc vote for a term of four years. The election is only valid if 50% of the electorate vote. Mongolian...
on June 28, 1992 representing constituency 26 in Ulaanbaatar
Ulaanbaatar
Ulan Bator or Ulaanbaatar is the capital and largest city of Mongolia. An independent municipality, the city is not part of any province, and its population as of 2008 is over one million....
. At the Hural's first session on 20 July 1992 he was appointed prime minister. Before the selection Jasrai had told the members of the State Great Hural that he was "not a politician, rather a simple Economist" and promised that, if elected, he would work towards the expanding economic development and democracy in Mongolia.
In June 1993 Jasrai visited the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
and met with government representatives and took part in an economic symposium. He alse met with World Bank
World Bank
The World Bank is an international financial institution that provides loans to developing countries for capital programmes.The World Bank's official goal is the reduction of poverty...
and International Monetary Fund
International Monetary Fund
The International Monetary Fund is an organization of 187 countries, working to foster global monetary cooperation, secure financial stability, facilitate international trade, promote high employment and sustainable economic growth, and reduce poverty around the world...
representatives and spoke at the National Press Club
National Press Club
The National Press Club is a professional organization and private social club for journalists. It is located in Washington, D.C. Its membership consists of journalists, former journalists, government information officers, and those considered to be regular news sources. It is well-known for its...
.
In summer 1993 opposition parties strongly criticized Jasrai and his government for not doing enough to prevent a worsening of the economy and they continued calls for his resignation throughout most of his term in office. During this period opposition parties joined to creat the Mongolian Democratic Union
Mongolian Democratic Union
The Democratic Union Coalition was a coalition of political parties in Mongolia. Its primary constituents were the National Democratic Party and the Social Democratic Party, and its core policies were the implementation of political and economic reforms in the post-communist period.In the 1996...
coalition. In July 1996 parliamentary elections the Democratic Union proved victorious, ushering the first non-MPRP government since Mongolia's independence in 1921. Mendsaikhany Enkhsaikhan was subsequently appointed Prime Minister. Jasrai retained his seat in the State Great Hural
State Great Hural
The State Great Khural is the unicameral Parliament of Mongolia.It is located in the Government Palace.- Structure :All 76 members represents 26 multi-member constituencies, and are elected by bloc vote for a term of four years. The election is only valid if 50% of the electorate vote. Mongolian...
until 2004.