Lok Sabha Question No. 1542 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2019-11-27
Subject: Nomenclature of Planning Commission as NITI Aayog
Ministry: PLANNING
Asked by: Shyam Yadav Singh

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF PLANNING

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1542 TO BE ANSWERED ON 27.11.2019

## NOMENCLATURE OF PLANNING COMMISSION AS NITI AAYOG

## 1542. SHRI SHYAM SINGH YADAV:

Will the Minister of PLANNING be pleased to state:

- (a) whether previous Planning Commission has been rechristened as NITI Aayog and if so, the details and the reasons therefor;
- (b) the details of the ways  the policy  making  body  has  improved after the  new nomenclature; and
- (c) whether the Government is contemplating to accord constitutional rights to its members and if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) OF THE MINISTRY OF PLANNING AND MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) OF THE MINISTRY OF STATISTICS AND PROGRAMME IMPLEMENTATION

## (RAO INDERJIT SINGH)

\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_

(a) In  order  to  evolve  a  shared  vision  of  national  development  priorities,  sectors  and strategies  with  the  active  involvement  of  States  in  the  light  of  national  objectives, Government of India has replaced Planning Commission with NITI Aayog with effect from January 1, 2015.  As a dedicated think-tank of the Government, NITI Aayog is expected to carry out a directional role, strategically charting the future of the nation. It is expected to provide specialised inputs - strategic, functional and technical to the Government (Centre as well  as  States),  on  matters  critical  to  fulfilment  of  the  national  development  agenda. Besides, NITI Aayog is envisaged to play an important role in monitoring the implementation of policies and programmes, and evaluate their impact.

(b) NITI Aayog has been providing directional and policy inputs to Central Ministries/ Departments and State Governments across the range of sectors such as agriculture, science & technology, education, healthcare, water resources, urbanization, energy, transport, and so on.  The attempt is to bring innovation, technology, enterprise and efficient management together at the core of policy formulation and implementation.  It is fostering cooperative federalism  through  structured  support  and  policy  guidance  to  the  States  on  a  continuous basis.  The Output-Outcome Monitoring Framework developed by NITI Aayog has created a paradigm shift from outlays to outcome based governance for improved evidence-based policy-making.  In  order  to  promote  competitive  federalism,  NITI  Aayog  has  launched  a number of indices for  ranking the States on parameters such as school education, health, composite  water  management,  sustainable  development  goals,  etc.    It  is  steering  the 'Aspirational  Districts  Programme'  with  the  objective  to  develop  112  under-developed districts  in  the  country  by  focusing  on  governance  and  achieving  effective  convergence among  Government  agencies  and  organizations  on  the  ground.  The  'Atal  Innovation Mission'  is  a  flagship  initiative  to  promote  innovation  and  entrepreneurship  across  the country through Atal Tinkering Labs and Incubation Centres. NITI Aayog has also come out  with  Strategy  for  New  India  @75  document  with  policy  recommendations  in  41  key areas with drivers of growth, infrastructure, inclusion and governance.  In performance of its integrated role in the development of a shared vision of national priorities and strategies, NITI Aayog actively engages with States, civil society and other think tanks.

(c) There is no such proposal under consideration as at present.

*****