The objectives of formation of NITI Aayog are as follows:

 

        i.            To evolve a shared vision of national development priorities, sectors and strategies with the active involvement of States in the light of national objectives.    The vision of the NITI Aayog will then provide a framework ‘national agenda’ for the Prime Minister and the Chief Ministers to provide impetus to.

 

      ii.            To foster cooperative federalism through structured support initiatives and mechanisms with the States on a continuous basis, recognizing that strong States make a strong nation.

 

    iii.            To develop mechanisms to formulate credible plans at the village level and aggregate these progressively at higher levels of government.

 

    iv.            To ensure, on areas that are specifically referred to it, that the interests of national security are incorporated in economic strategy and policy.

 

      v.            To pay special attention to the sections of our society that may be at risk of not benefitting adequately from economic progress. 

 

    vi.            To design strategic and long term policy and programme frameworks and initiatives, and monitor their progress and their efficacy.  The lessons learnt through monitoring and feedback will be used for making innovative improvements, including necessary mid-course corrections.

 

  vii.            To provide advice and encourage partnerships between key stakeholders and national and international like-minded Think Tanks, as well as educational and policy research institutions.

 

viii.            To create a knowledge, innovation and entrepreneurial support system through a collaborative community of national and international experts, practitioners and other partners.

 

    ix.            To offer a platform for resolution of inter-sectoral and inter-departmental issues in order to accelerate the implementation of the development agenda.

 

      x.            To maintain a state-of-the-art Resource Centre, be a repository of research on good governance and best practices in sustainable and equitable development as well as help their dissemination to stake-holders.

 

    xi.            To actively monitor and evaluate the implementation of programmes and initiatives, including the identification of the needed resources so as to strengthen the probability of success and scope of delivery.

 

  xii.            To focus on technology up-gradation and capacity building for implementation of programmes and initiatives.

 

xiii.            To undertake other activities as may be necessary in order to further the execution of the national development agenda, and the objectives mentioned above.

 

The Minister said that as per the Resolution dated Jan 1, 2015 (Annexed at B), the Prime Minister is the Chairperson. The Aayog has a Vice-chairperson and two full time Members. Besides, four Cabinet Ministers as ex-officio Members and three Cabinet Ministers as Special Invitees have been notified. The Aayog has a Chief Executive Officer in the rank of Secretary to Government of India. There is a provision of a Secretariat as required for providing assistance in carrying out the responsibilities entrusted to NITI Aayog. The aforesaid Resolution dated Jan 1, 2015 has replaced the Resolution dated March 1950 vide which Planning Commission was set up and as a result, the post of Deputy Chairman and other full time members of earlier Planning Commission do not exist. The Secretariat of NITI Aayog is in the process of being set up. During this transition period, NITI Aayog has been declared as successor in Interest of the erstwhile Planning Commission.

 

He said that the first meeting of the Governing Council of NITI Aayog was held on February 8, 2015. In this meeting, it was clearly recognized that the States have now emerged into economic growth engines and are equal partners in national development. However, recognizing that different States have different strengths, development needs and capacities, the way ahead has to focus on a shared vision of more inclusive and sustainable development not only between the Centre and the States but also across all States. As such NITI Aayog is engaged in strengthening cooperative federalism so that the centre and State can work as a team towards rapid economic transformation of India.

 

This information was given by the Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Planning, Shri Rao Inderjit Singh in a written reply in Rajya Sabha today.

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