Planning Commission replaced by new think tank NITI Aayog

Prime Minister Narendra Modi started the New Year on Thursday with a big bang announcement by replacing the 65-year-old Planning Commission with NITI (National Institution for Transforming India) Aayog. The new body will be headed by the PM while all chief ministers (CMs) will be on its governing council to evolve national development priorities with the involvement of states.

"Unlike its predecessor, NITI Aayog will have all chief ministers and Lt. governors on its governing council in the spirit of cooperative federalism," Modi said.

The Opposition was quick to slam the government voicing apprehension that the Aayog will discriminate against the states and help corporates call the shots in policymaking. CPI-M leader Sitaram Yechury termed the renaming of Commission as "aniti and durniti" (no policy and bad policy).

Congress leader Manish Tewari said, "After all, what was the Planning Commission doing? It used to plan policy. So, by changing the nomenclature from Planning Commission to Neeti Ayog, what is the message this government is trying to send?"

In his Independence Day speech, Modi had mooted the idea of replacing the Commission with a new and more relevant body. "Through the NITI Aayog, we wish to ensure that every individual can enjoy the fruits of development & aspire to lead a better life (inclusive growth). A pro-people, pro-active & participative development agenda stressing on empowerment & equality is the guiding principle behind NITI Aayog. Through NITI Aayog, we bid farewell to a 'one size fits all' approach towards development. The body celebrates India's diversity & plurality," Modi tweeted.

According to an official statement, the Aayog will form regional councils to address specific issues and contingencies impacting more than one state or a region. The body will serve as a think tank of the government as a directional and policy dynamo and would provide the governments at the Centre and in states with strategic and technical advice on key policy matters, including economic issues of national and international importance, the statement added.

The government has set up the new body through a Cabinet Resolution.

PRIME MINISTER TO HEAD NEW BODY

>> PM to head NITI Aayog and all CMs will be on its governing council to evolve national development priorities with the involvement of states

>> It will have a vice-chairperson and CEO in addition to five full-time members and two part-time members, and four Union ministers would serve as ex-officio members

>> Noted economist Arvind Panagariya is tipped to be first vice-chairman

>> The Aayog will form regional Councils to address specific issues and contingencies impacting more than one state or a region

>> The Aayog will also have experts, specialists and practitioners with relevant domain knowledge as special invitees nominated by the PM

>> NITI Aayog will provide a critical directional and strategic input into the governance process by engaging citizens, providing egalitarian access to opportunity, and increasing the use of technology