NITI Aayog – The think tank of India
The way forward to the earlier 65 years Planning Commission comes a revolutionary aspect NITI Aayog. National Institution for Transforming India NITI Aayog is basically a policy think tank a blend of both state and central governance which got birth on 1st Jan 2015 replacing Planning Commission, with creation of Two hubs
1). Team India Hub – Involving both of the
2). Knowledge and Innovation Hub – Builds NITI Aayog think tank capabilities
Objectives
- Cultivating COOPERATIVE FEDERALISM with dynamic inclusion of state
- Mirroring the top to bottom approach of planning commission
- Providing crucial strategic and directional inputs for the development of country
- Provision of relevant technical advice to central and state governances
- To act in accordance with the changing requirement of the country
- Infusion of new ideas and policies
- To serve as “think tank” of the governments, in correlation with international bodies
- To monitor and evaluate the implementation of programmes.
Organizational Framework
Differences between Planning Commission & NITI Aayog
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Particulars
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Planning Commission
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NITI Aayog
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Financial Clout
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Enjoyed the powers to allocate funds to ministries and state governments
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To be an advisory body, or a think-tank. The powers to allocate funds might be vested in the finance ministry
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Fulltime Members
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The last Commission had eight full-time members
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The number of full-time members could be fewer than Planning Commission
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State’s Role
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States’ role was limited to the National Development Council and annual interaction during Plan meetings
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State governments are expected to play a more significant role than they did in the Planning Commission
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Member Secretary
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Secretaries or member secretaries were appointment through the usual process
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To be known at the CEO and to be appointed by the prime minister
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Part time Members
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Full Planning Commission had no provision for part-time members
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To have a number of part-time members, depending on the need from time to time
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NITI Aayog in Agriculture
Majorly comprises of 3 Task forces
1) Task force on Agricultural Development
2) Task force on agricultural Insurance
3) Task force on elimination of poverty in India
3 Year Action Plan of NITI Aayog on Agriculture
1. Marketing reforms – Reforming APMC Act and plugging the gap in e-NAM where cross market purchases are scarce
2. Boosting farm productivity – Use of high value farm products, irrigation, fertilizers, seeds, insecticides and new technology (GM Crops, Precision Farming)
3. Remunerative prices – Regarding two aspects
a. MSP – Price Deficiency payment system (Subsidizing targeted in-case of product falling below MSP)
b. Farmer’s share in final price
4. Accelerating the pace of action plan like –
a. PMKSY – Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchai Yojana
b. PMFBY – Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bhima Yojana
c. KCC – Kisan Credit Card
d. DBT – Direct Benefit Transfer
e. Soil Health Card
f. Benami Transactions (Prohibition) Act
g. Essential Commodity Act
5. Facilitating and incentivise the private sector to invest in seed production, agri-logistics, cold chains etc.
Issues
Confusion in implementation
Biasness might occur as members are selected from ruling party
Too many voices
The NITI Aayog is certainly an appreciated advance toward mulling over arranging in India from a new viewpoint. This revolutionary step will take India to another level of development – social and monetary.
Penned By
Divya Bisht
&
Mohammed Shahrukh Qureshi
Penned By
Divya Bisht
&
Mohammed Shahrukh Qureshi
planning commission made five year plans while NITI AAYOG base medium and long term visions and the role of state in NITI AAYOG is more as compared to that in planning commission.
YES, THE LAST FIVE YEAR PLAN ENDED ON 31st MARCH, 2017