GS Mains Model Question & Answer: Discuss dissimilarities and similarities between present Niti Aayog and former Planning Commission of India

GS Mains Model Question & Answer: Discuss dissimilarities and similarities between present Niti Aayog and former Planning Commission of India

Q. Discuss dissimilarities and similarities between present Niti Aayog and former Planning Commission of India . (12.5 Marks)

(General Studies Mains Paper III- Economy: Planning)

Model Answer :

Prime Minister Narendra Modi's first policy announcement was to replace the decades-old Planning Commission with a government think-tank called NITI Aayog. Critics said that this is old wine in a new bottle. NITI is an acronym for National Institution for Transforming India.

The Planning Commission (Yojana Aayog) was criticized as being too bureaucratic and not consulting states enough while allocating resources. Including states at an early stage of national policymaking is surely a step in the right direction. Making it a think-tank without powers to allocate funds is also a step forward. It will now be the finance ministry's job to manage funds for various projects.

Here are five main differences between the two bodies:

DIFFERENCES NITI AAYOG PLANNING COMMISSION
Constitution Governing Council has state chief ministers and lieutenant governors. The commission reported to National Development Council that had state chief ministers and lieutenant governors.
Organization New posts of CEO, of secretary rank, and Vice-Chairperson. Will also have five full-time members and two part-time members. Four cabinet ministers will serve as ex-officio members. Had deputy chairperson, a member secretary and full-time members.
Participation Consulting states while making policy and deciding on funds allocation. Final policy would be a result of that. Policy was formed by the commission and states were then consulted about allocation of funds.
Allocation No power to allocate funds Had power to decide allocation of government funds for various programmes at national and state levels.
Nature NITI is a think-tank and does not have the power to impose policies. Imposed policies on states and tied allocation of funds with projects it approved.

Similarities

There are several similarities as well :

  • Regional councils seem similar to consultative panels that were constituted by the Commission when differences cropped up between the centre and states.
  • The prime minister will remain the ex-officio chairperson of the new organization, retaining the same position as in the Planning Commission.
  • The idea to create an institution where states' leaders will be part and parcel of the collective thinking with the Centre and other stakeholders in formulating a vision for the development of the country is right on as compared with the previous structure.

References

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