(Online Course) Pub Ad for IAS Mains: Chapter: 5 (Plans and Priorities) - National Development Council (Paper -2)

Planning Commission is referred to as unfederal body at times. There has been a view within Planning Commission that there has to be institution To represent the federal character of the Indian Polity. In 1952, through an executive order NDC was set up. In term of objective it overlaps with that of Planning Commission with an additional responsibility to approve the national plan prepared by Planning Commission. Only in approval of N.D.C. it goes to the parliament.

Composition

It is chaired by the P.M. the union cabinet ministers as its member along the C.M. of various states and the members of the Planning Commission Representation of C.M.’s has brought about the federal character. Plan to be approved by NDC has brought about federal character into the national plan. Views of

• A.P. Jain

• Michael Brachur

Referred that NDC is the super-cabinet and Planning Commission has been relegated as a research arm. This is not really true because in Planning Commission the membership in P.M. union cabinet ministers. As far as membership it is not insignificant Because central government is going to provide money. Entire process monopolized by the Central Government, Chairman is P.M. Views presented by the Planning Commission is the view of central government. Rejection of that plan at NDC level is the rejection of replan of central government. For three important reason it never gets modified:

1. Representatives of central government oppose every effort to modify or reject national plan. State government showily represented.

2. State government represented through single C.M. but central government represented by many, P.M, ministers and members of Planning Commission

3. NDC does not have expertise to put forth technical grounds for the rejection. It is Planning Commission in actuality which is super cabinet.

As far as composition

Suggestions is not to decrease composition of Central Government or increase the composition of state government.

Functioning of NDC influenced by Planning Commission so the composition of Planning Commission need to be changed in order to include federal character.

When Planning Commission becomes totally a body of experts then the advises sent by Planning Commission is unbiased in its views politically.

So, the political objective can be added at the NDC level without Central Government being defensive or state government being offensive.

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