INTRODUCTION
The Planning Machinery in India is a system established to facilitate the process of economic and social planning at the national, state, and local levels. The main objective of this machinery is to formulate and implement policies and programs that promote economic growth, social welfare, and sustainable development.
At the national level, the Planning Commission was the apex body responsible for formulating the country's Five-Year Plans from 1951 until 2014. It was replaced by the NITI Aayog (National Institution for Transforming India), which was established in 2015 to provide strategic direction and policy recommendations to the government.
At the state level, each state has a planning department responsible for formulating and implementing state-level plans and policies. The State Planning Boards are responsible for coordinating and monitoring the implementation of the state plans.
At the local level, the planning machinery consists of the District Planning Committees, which are responsible for preparing district plans and coordinating and monitoring the implementation of these plans. Additionally, there are Urban Local Bodies, such as Municipal Corporations, Municipal Councils, and Nagar Panchayats, which are responsible for planning and implementing development projects in urban areas.
Overall, the planning machinery in India plays a crucial role in the country's economic and social development by formulating policies and programs that promote growth and development at all levels of governance.
NATIONAL LEVEL
- National Development Council : The National Development Council (NDC) is a body that was set up in 1952 to provide a platform for the central and state governments to discuss development issues and formulate policies and programs. It consists of the Prime Minister, all Union Cabinet Ministers, Chief Ministers of all states, and members of the Planning Commission. The NDC meets periodically to discuss issues related to planning and development and to review the progress of the Five-Year Plans. The NDC also approves the annual plans and budgets of the states.
- NITI Aayog : The NITI Aayog (National Institution for Transforming India) was established in 2015 to replace the Planning Commission. The organization aims to provide a platform for cooperative federalism, where the central and state governments work together to achieve the objectives of sustainable development. The NITI Aayog consists of a Governing Council chaired by the Prime Minister, with Chief Ministers of all states and Lt. Governors of Union Territories as members. The organization has three main functions: providing strategic and technical advice to the central and state governments, formulating and implementing development policies, and monitoring and evaluating the implementation of development programs.
- Planning Commission : The Planning Commission was a body that existed from 1951 until 2014 and was responsible for formulating the country's Five-Year Plans. It consisted of a Deputy Chairman and full-time and part-time members who were appointed by the government. The commission was responsible for identifying the country's developmental objectives, creating long-term plans, and establishing priorities. It also monitored and evaluated the implementation of plans and policies and provided necessary advice and guidance to the government.
- National Planning Machinery : The national planning machinery comprises various bodies and institutions, including the National Development Council, NITI Aayog, and the Planning Commission (which existed earlier). The main role of the national planning machinery is to identify the country's developmental objectives, create long-term plans, establish priorities, monitor and evaluate the implementation of plans and policies, and provide necessary advice and guidance to the government. These bodies consist of experts and officials from various fields who are appointed by the government and work towards promoting sustainable development in the country.
STATE LEVEL
- STATE PLANNING MACHINERY : The state planning machinery is responsible for planning and implementing development plans and policies at the state level. It is headed by a state planning board or similar organization. The main function of the state planning machinery is to identify the state's developmental objectives, create medium and short-term plans, and establish priorities for development.
- STATE PLANNING BOARD : The state planning board is the main body responsible for planning and implementing development plans and policies at the state level. It consists of experts and officials from various fields who are appointed by the state government. The state planning board is responsible for identifying the state's developmental objectives and creating medium and short-term plans to achieve them. It also coordinates with various departments and agencies to ensure the proper implementation of plans and policies.
- FUNCTIONS OF THE STATE PLANNING MACHINERY : The state planning machinery performs a range of functions to ensure that development plans and policies are implemented effectively. These functions include:
- Identifying Development Objectives: The state planning machinery identifies the state's developmental objectives and creates plans to achieve them.
- Creating Plans and Priorities: The machinery creates medium and short-term plans and establishes priorities for development.
- Coordination with Departments and Agencies: The machinery coordinates with various departments and agencies to ensure the proper implementation of plans and policies.
- Monitoring and Evaluation: The machinery monitors and evaluates the implementation of plans and policies and provides necessary advice and guidance to the government.
- Resource Mobilization: The machinery mobilizes resources for development plans and policies.
- Research and Analysis: The machinery conducts research and analysis to inform the planning process and ensure that development plans are based on sound evidence.
In summary, the state planning machinery is responsible for planning and implementing development plans and policies at the state level. It is headed by a state planning board or similar organization and consists of experts and officials from various fields who are appointed by the state government. The main functions of the state planning machinery include identifying the state's developmental objectives, creating plans and priorities, coordinating with departments and agencies, monitoring and evaluating the implementation of plans and policies, mobilizing resources, and conducting research and analysis.
LOCAL LEVEL
Local planning machinery refers to the planning and implementation of development plans and policies at the local level, which is led by local government bodies such as city councils or town boards. The local planning machinery has a significant impact on the daily lives of people living in the area. It involves citizen participation in the planning process, which ensures that the community's needs and aspirations are reflected in the plans and policies developed.
Local planning machinery's key functions include identifying the local area's developmental objectives, creating short-term plans, and establishing priorities for development. The machinery also coordinates with various departments and agencies at the local level to ensure that plans and policies are properly implemented. Additionally, the local planning machinery involves community members in identifying local needs, setting goals, and developing strategies for meeting these needs.
The local planning machinery plays an important role in promoting sustainable development and improving the quality of life of residents in the area. It facilitates the implementation of development plans and policies, provides local services such as infrastructure development, and coordinates with other levels of government to ensure that local plans are aligned with broader national and state-level goals.
In summary, the local planning machinery is responsible for planning and implementing development plans and policies at the local level. It involves citizen participation in the planning process, identifies local developmental objectives, creates short-term plans, establishes priorities for development, and coordinates with various departments and agencies at the local level to ensure the proper implementation of plans and policies.
CONCLUSION
In conclusion, planning machinery in India operates at the national, state, and local levels. At the national level, the National Development Council, NITI Aayog, and the Planning Commission are responsible for identifying the country's developmental objectives, creating long-term plans, and monitoring their implementation. At the state level, the state planning board is responsible for planning and implementing development plans and policies, identifying the state's developmental objectives, and coordinating with various departments and agencies. At the local level, the local planning machinery is headed by local government bodies, and it involves citizen participation in the planning process, identifying local needs, and developing strategies to meet them. Overall, the planning machinery plays a crucial role in shaping India's development and ensuring that plans and policies are implemented effectively.