NITI Aayog-like Bodies For States Soon

The move recognises that, with the exception of defence, railroads, and highways, national GDP growth is an aggregate of state growth rates.

The central think-tank NITI Aayog would help each state establish comparable committees to replace existing planning boards for quicker, inclusive economic growth in line with the objective of becoming a developed nation by 2047.

Except for defence, trains, and highways, GDP growth is an aggregate of state rates. The state governs health, education, and skills. NITI Aayog states that state governments’ participation is crucial for enhancing the ease of doing business, land reforms, infrastructure development, credit flows, and urbanisation, all of which are necessary for sustainable economic growth.

NITI Aayog’s role in state-central collaboration

In his Independence Day speech, Prime Minister Narendra Modi set the goal of developing India by 2047. On September 6, NITI Aayog held a conference of state planning secretaries to launch the “state assistance mission.” Sources said states had welcomed the think-tank, which would likely include IIMs and IITs specialists.

It hopes to have 8–10 states create similar bodies by March 2024. Karnataka, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, and Assam have already started work, while Maharashtra, Odisha, Andhra Pradesh, and Gujarat will likely begin shortly.

Since the Modi administration replaced the 65-year-old Planning Commission with NITI Aayog in January 2015, seven years have passed. The Centre gave the Finance Ministry’s plan budget allocation authority.

SITs are formed to implement the idea

Most states have done nothing to revitalise their planning departments/boards, which dealt with the Planning Commission and created parallel state five-year plans with the Centre. “Most states’ planning offices, with a large staff, are essentially extinct and have no clear task,” remarked a senior official. NITI Aayog wants to set up groups that will look at the structure of state planning boards and develop ideas for SIT in 4 to 6 months.

SITs will encourage the lateral entry of experts to do high-quality analytical work and make policy suggestions. A blueprint will be produced to help states with policy creation, monitor and evaluate government policies and programmes, and offer better technology or delivery methods.