Former Reserve Bank of India Governor Bimal Jalan on Wednesday said the Congress leader Manmohan Singh was assuming the office of the prime minister at a time when the country was facing "huge challenges" in the political, economic and social spheres.

Singh was the right man to take charge of the challenges and problems the country faced today, Jalan said.

"His past record, achievements, educational qualifications stand him in very good stead in tackling the problems we have today," he told a news channel.

He said, "Dr Singh's records and achievements are an open book. Brilliant economist, brilliant finance minister, brilliant (RBI) bank governor...well-known internationally."

Jalan said the country faced big challenges in the political, economic and social spheres. "You have to work out mechanisms to meet challenges which you have to handle," he added.