SSB Lecturette Series: NITI AAYOG

NEW GET UP OF OLD PLANNING COMMISSION

It has always be seen that no matters however you build a costly house it gets older and deplorable and the roof on the verge of danger of life beneath it and it demands renovation, so with the case of Planning commission , the prestigious institution which stood tall amid all policy making institutions for a long period of 65 years. It had been now seems to lost its utility in Present scenario with respect to global context. On very first day of 2015, Union government announced the creation of a new commission "NITI Aayog" by replacing Planning commission Jan, 2015 was an epoch making day.

Planning commission was established on March 15, 1950 by Pt. Jawahar lal Nehru. On March 15,2015 it would have completed 65 years. It is said that at the time of setting up commission for planning purpose, various resistance came on the way, but Pt. Nehru explained all the concerns needed for Commission to exploit the resources of country in a proper manner, it would give impetus on increase in production of goods as well as provide employment which was necessary to uplift the living standards of people of our country. The five commission brought 12 year Plan and 6 annual plans involving fund outlays of over Rs. 200 lakh crore. First five year plan was launched in 1951 with a total outlay of bit over Rs.2000 crore and second and third five year plan that followed were formulated till 1965. 

There after country faced drought, devaluation of currency, rise in Prices and depletion of sources. As a result no planning could be possible between 1966 and 1969. Then fourth five year plan was regulated in 1969. Between 1966 to 1969 three Annual plans were been formulated. Again due to fast changing situations between 1990 and 1992 only two Annual plans would be possible as the eight five year plan launched in 1992. In the eight plan stress was on growth of public sectors but the economic constraints were not let the things move smoothly, Since the launch of Ninth five year plan , the emphasis on Public sector was less or not significant.  Different indicators of growth and development shows that in 65 years we have not achieved that much which we should have till now after 65 years of Independence.

With the pace of fast growing population planning commission has not been successful in delivering with that pace... So, the utility of Commission has been a matter of question today. When it started, at that time the economy continued for nearly four decades in which every aspect of market was controlled by government and that we used to call the license-quota-Permit Raaj". As a consequence the system was the evident of total failure in economy and India has to put its Gold mortgage in 1990-91 and then after the country resorted to Liberalization and open market economy due to which country started well.

Since then the need was felt by all the Parties of country also that Planning commission is merely a White elephant now and was not able to control or find out the loopholes which are the hindrance in growth it has been Replaced by " Niti aayog".

Niti Aayog is headed by PM. Narendra Modi and Mr. Arvind Pangariya is appointed as Vice Chairman of the NITI-Aayog, who is an Indian -American economist, Professor of Economics at Columbia university He has also worked for world Bank, IMF, WTO and UNCTAD(Unite Nations conference on Trade and development). Two Permanent members of Aayog are Mr. Bibek Debroy, an economist and Dr. V.K Saraswat the former chief of DRDO. The Aayog would have 4 Union Ministers as ex-officio members and three Union Ministers as special invitees. The ex-officio members are Home minister Mr. Rajnath singh, Finance minister Mr. Arun Jaitley, and Railway Minister Mr. Suresh Prabhu, Agriculture Minister Mr. Radha Mohan Singh.  Three Union ministers who have been appointed as special invitees are: HRD Minister Ms. Smriti Zubin Irani, Transport Minister Mr. Nitin Gadkari, and  Social Justoce Minister. Mr. Thaawar Chand Gehlot.

One must remember that during the Independence Day speech PM. Narendra Modi mooted the Idea of replacing the Planning commission with a new relevant body. Mr. Modi tweeted later" Through the NITI AAYOG”, we wish to ensure every individual can enjoy the fruits of development and aspire to lead a better life. A Pro-people, Proactive, and Participative development agenda stressing on empowerment and equality is the guiding Principle behind the NITI AAYOG. Through NITI AAYOG we bid farewell to a 'one size fits all' approach towards development."

The body will serve as a Think Tank of the government as directional and Policy maker and would provide all the technical advice on key matters of states too, keeping in view of National importance. It also fosters co-operative federalism. Hence, it is step towards well fare of Country.

About the Author:  Surya Deo Mishra is a mechanical engineer and a die heart defense aspirant. He loves travelling and playing volley ball. This article is a way to help defense aspirants to present his critical views on the topic, on the forum so that collective exchange of thoughts can take place.