The Centre will soon discuss with state chief ministers its strategy to shift from the five-year plan approach to a new system that would consist of an overarching 15-year vision document supplemented by a seven-year strategy and three-year action plans.
Niti Aayog's Governing Council that includes leaders of all states and union territories and chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, is likely to meet next month, said a senior government official. The date for the meeting will be finalised soon after consultations with the Prime Minister’s Office.
Besides the new planning process, the Council is also expected to discuss the model law on land leasing developed by the Aayog as an alternative to the more contentious reforms in the land acquisition law that the Centre has now put on the backburner. The target enunciated by the Centre to double agricultural incomes in five years is also likely to come up for discussion.
The Prime Minister had in February this year urged all state governments to give priority to boosting the agriculture sector with a target of doubling the income of farmers by 2022. Finance Minister Arun Jaitley’s Budget also made a commitment to doubling farm incomes over the next five years.
The Aayog’s vice chairman Arvind Panagariya is expected to table an appraisal of the XIIth Five Year Plan at the meeting and is also like to apprise the council of the activities under taken over the past year by the Aayog that was set up in December 2014 after abolishing the erstwhile Planning Commission.
The practice of five-year plans, being followed for over six decades, will end after the ongoing XIIth Plan that concludes in 2016-17. The 15-year vision document to be prepared by the Aayog will also cover internal security and defence that have traditionally not been part of the planning process.
The Council is also likely to review the action taken on the three reports submitted by groups of chief ministers – on Swachh Bharat Abhiyaan, Skill Development and rationalization of centrally-sponsored schemes.
Niti Aayog CEO Amitabh Kant is expected to make presentations on the new programmes unveiled over the past few months such as the Atal Innovation Mission and Start up India.
