Planning Commission

TV news channels started flashing changes to the Planning Commission of India. Good to here that they are trying to get rid of these old extra-constitutional body. Yes! the Planning commission was neither part of constitution nor any legislation. And planning commission members were selected arbitrarily. Any one who is good friend of politicians were made members. But such a body wielded high influence on the every five year plans in India. Every plan placed before the National Development Council were scrutinized by the planning commission. The legacy left by the congress were followed by all the subsequent government.

With Hon'ble Narendra Modi on power, the planning commission to be reincarnated as Niti Aayog. We are yet to know about the change in functioning and formation of the new body. With existing planning commission, accountability was lacking. They had unchecked power without responsibility to answer. The height of their irresponsible move was estimating that Rs. 32 is enough for a day per person to live in India. Those people who occupy high echelon of power don't even understand common man problems.  

Apart from the above mentioned joke, any welfare scheme placed before National Development council is subjected to scrutiny by the planning commission. And planning commission can withhold or reject such scheme on it own estimations. How can a body which was non representative, extra constitutional turn the schemes proposed by elected representatives of India? Some may claim that members of the planning commission are experts. If so why were they not to be appointed through normal recruitment process. Why did they fail to provide equal opportunity to all citizens when appointing a member?

A right move on the eve of New Year, not only the name but also the functioning and formation of the new body must be made accountable. The new body must understand ground realities from the perspective of common man than to dream on its ideology.