The Narendra Modi-led NDA government has reconstituted NITI Aayog, appointing four full-time members and including 15 union ministers, including those from BJP allies, as ex-officio members or special invitees. This reconstitution follows changes in the Council of Ministers. Now, let's delve into the role and functions of NITI Aayog.

What is NITI Aayog?

The National Institution for Transforming India, or NITI Aayog, was constituted in 2015 when the PM Modi-led Union government chose to scrap the 65-year-old Planning Commission. The NITI Aayog was formed to bring fresh ideas to the government. It plays a vital role in the development process of the country. It is the premier policy think tank of the Government of India, providing directional and policy inputs.

Who are the members of NITI Aayog?

Chairman: Prime Minister Narendra Modi

Vice Chairman: Suman Bery

Full-Time Members:

VK Saraswat

Professor Ramesh Chand

Dr. VK Paul

Arvind Virmani

Ex-officio Members:

Rajnath Singh, Minister of Defence

Amit Shah, Minister of Home Affairs; and Minister of Cooperation

Shivraj Singh Chouhan, Minister of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare; and Minister of Rural Development

Nirmala Sitharaman, Minister of Finance; and Minister of Corporate Affairs

Special Invitees:

Nitin Jairam Gadkari, Minister of Road Transport and Highways

Jagat Prakash Nadda, Minister of Health and Family Welfare and Minister of Chemicals and Fertilizers

HD Kumaraswamy, Minister of Heavy Industries; and Minister of Steel

Jitan Ram Manjhi, Minister of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises

Rajiv Ranjan Singh alias Lalan Singh, Minister of Panchayati Raj; and Minister of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying

Dr. Virendra Kumar, Minister of Social Justice and Empowerment

Kinjarapu Rammohan Naidu, Minister of Civil Aviation

Jual Oram, Minister of Tribal Affairs

Annpurna Devi, Minister of Women and Child Development

Chirag Paswan, Minister of Food Processing Industries

Rao Inderjit Singh, Minister of State (Independent Charge) of the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation; Minister of State (Independent Charge) of the Ministry of Planning; and Minister of State in the Ministry of Culture

Key Roles and Functions of NITI Aayog:

Formulating Strategic Plans and Policies: NITI Aayog formulates medium and long-term strategic plans and policies for the government, focusing on sustainable and inclusive growth.

Designing Developmental Strategies: It designs developmental strategies and initiatives in key sectors such as agriculture, education, health, infrastructure, and more, aligning them with national priorities.

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Monitoring and Evaluation: The Aayog monitors the implementation of policies and programs, evaluating their effectiveness and recommending corrective measures.

Promoting Research and Innovation: It promotes research and innovation in various fields to foster economic growth and development.

Fostering Cooperative Federalism: NITI Aayog fosters cooperative federalism by facilitating collaboration between the central government and the states in policy formulation and implementation.

Special Initiatives and Schemes: The Aayog undertakes special initiatives and schemes aimed at addressing specific developmental challenges and promoting sustainable development goals (SDGs).

Objectives of NITI Aayog:

Evolve a Shared Vision: To evolve a shared vision of national development priorities, sectors, and strategies with the active involvement of states.

Foster Cooperative Federalism: 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.

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

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

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Attention to At-Risk Sections: To pay special attention to the sections of our society that may be at risk of not benefiting adequately from economic progress.

Strategic and Long-Term Policy Frameworks: To design strategic and long-term policy and programme frameworks and initiatives, and monitor their progress and efficacy. The lessons learned through monitoring and feedback will be used for making innovative improvements, including necessary mid-course corrections.

Encourage Partnerships: 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.

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

Resolution of Inter-Sectoral Issues: To offer a platform for the resolution of inter-sectoral and inter-departmental issues in order to accelerate the implementation of the development agenda.

Resource Centre: 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 stakeholders.

Active Monitoring and Evaluation: 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.

Technology Upgradation and Capacity Building: To focus on technology upgradation and capacity building for implementation of programmes and initiatives.

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

Conclusion:

The reconstitution of NITI Aayog under the Modi government signifies a renewed commitment to driving India's sustainable growth and development. By including a diverse group of members and focusing on key developmental areas, the Aayog aims to formulate and implement strategic policies that align with national priorities. The emphasis on cooperative federalism and innovative solutions ensures that NITI Aayog remains a pivotal institution in shaping India's future.

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