Q. Consider the following statements : - National Development Council is an organ of the Planning Commission.
- The Economic and Social Planning is kept in the Concurrent List in the Constitution of India.
- The Constitution of India prescribes that Panchayats should be assigned the task of preparation of plans for economic development and social justice.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct? (UPSC Prelims 2013)
Answer:
2 and 3 only
Notes: The correct answer is
[B] 2 and 3 only. This question tests your knowledge of the constitutional and institutional framework for planning in India.
- National Development Council (Statement 1 is Incorrect): The National Development Council (NDC) was not an organ of the Planning Commission. It was an independent body established in 1952 to provide a platform for the Centre and the States to discuss and approve the Five-Year Plans prepared by the Planning Commission. While they worked closely together, they were distinct entities. (Note: Both the Planning Commission and NDC have now been replaced by NITI Aayog).
- Economic and Social Planning (Statement 2 is Correct): "Economic and Social Planning" is indeed listed as Entry 20 in the Concurrent List (List III) of the Seventh Schedule of the Constitution of India. This means both the Union Government and the State Governments have the power to legislate and formulate policies regarding economic and social planning.
- Panchayats and Planning (Statement 3 is Correct): The 73rd Constitutional Amendment Act, 1992, added Article 243-G to the Constitution. It mandates that State Legislatures may, by law, endow Panchayats with such powers and authority as may be necessary to enable them to function as institutions of self-government, specifically for the preparation of plans for economic development and social justice and the implementation of schemes entrusted to them.