India 2018

Planning 453
strategic and long-term policy and programme frameworks and initiatives and
monitors their progress and their efficacy regularly. It uses the lessons learnt
from monitoring and feedback to make innovative improvements, including
necessary mid-course corrections. Also, NITI Aayog actively monitors and
evaluates the implementation of programmes and initiatives, including the
identification of the needed resources so as to strengthen the prospects of success
of the latter. The Aayog publishes policy research papers on contemporary issues,
brings out books on best practices, prepares model laws to help states reform
their policies and organizes workshops and conferences. For providing
directional and policy inputs it serves as a repository of research on good
governance and helps disseminate this research to stakeholders.
Composition
The composition of the NITI Aayog is as follows:
Prime Minister of India is the Chairperson. The Governing Council
comprises the Chief Ministers of all the states, Chief Ministers of union territories
with legislatures, viz., Delhi and Puducherry and Lt. Governors of other union
territories. Experts, specialists and practitioners with relevant domain knowledge
as special invitees nominated by the Prime Minister. The full time organizational
framework will consist of, in addition to the Prime Minister as Chairperson,
Vice-Chairperson is to be appointed by the Prime Minister. Full time and parttime
members will be maximum of 2, from leading universities, research
organizations and other relevant institutions in an ex-officio capacity. Part time
members will be on a rotational basis. Ex officio Members will be maximum of 4
members of the Union Council of Ministers to be nominated by the Prime Minister.
Chief Executive Officer is to be appointed by the Prime Minister for a fixed tenure,
in the rank of Secretary to the Government of India. Secretariat as deemed
necessary.
First Plan
Keeping in view the large-scale import of food grains in 1951 and inflationary
pressures on the economy, the First Plan (1951-56) accorded the highest priority
to agriculture including irrigation and power projects. About 44.6 per cent of the
total outlay of ` 2,069 crore in the public sector (later raised to ` 2,378 crore) was
allocated for this purpose. The Plan aimed at increasing the rate of investment
from five to about seven per cent of the national income.
Second Plan
The Second Five-Year Plan (1956-57 to 1960-61) sought to promote a pattern of
development, which would ultimately lead to the establishment of a socialistic
pattern of society in India. Its main aims were (i) an increase of 25 per cent in the
national income; (ii) rapid industrialization with particular emphasis on the
development of basic and heavy industries; (iii) large expansion of employment
opportunities; and (iv) reduction of inequalities in income and wealth and a
more even distribution of economic power. The Plan aimed at increasing the rate
of investment from about seven percent of the national income to 11 per cent by
1960-61. It laid emphasis on industrialization, increased production of iron and