Explain the relationship between the Planning Commission and the National Development Council in India in the past.

In the past, the Planning Commission and the National Development Council (NDC) played crucial roles in India's economic planning and policy formulation. The relationship between these two institutions was characterized by collaboration and coordination to achieve the country's developmental objectives. The interaction between the Planning Commission and the NDC can be outlined as follows:

1. Formation and Mandate:

   • The Planning Commission was established in 1950 with the objective of formulating five-year plans for the country's economic development.
   • The National Development Council, created in 1952, served as a platform for deliberating and approving the country's development policies and plans.

2. Planning Commission's Role:

   • The Planning Commission was the primary agency responsible for formulating comprehensive plans and policies to achieve targeted economic growth and development.
   • It played a central role in allocating resources, formulating sector-specific plans, and coordinating various ministries and departments to achieve the planned objectives.

3. NDC's Role:

   • The National Development Council, chaired by the Prime Minister and composed of Chief Ministers of states and Union Territories, served as the apex body for decision-making on development policies and plans.
   • The NDC provided a forum for discussion and coordination between the central and state governments, ensuring that the plans were aligned with the diverse needs and priorities of different regions.

4. Collaborative Decision-Making:

   • The Planning Commission presented the draft plans to the NDC for discussion and approval. The NDC's role was crucial in ensuring that the plans were in line with the overall developmental goals and the perspectives of the states.
   • The collaborative decision-making process between the Planning Commission and the NDC aimed to strike a balance between national objectives and the specific requirements of different regions.

5. Decentralized Planning:

   • The NDC emphasized the importance of decentralized planning, recognizing the unique challenges and opportunities faced by different states and regions.
   • States were encouraged to formulate their own plans in alignment with the broader national framework, fostering a cooperative federalism approach.

6. Evolving Dynamics:

   • Over time, the dynamics between the Planning Commission and the NDC underwent changes. While the Planning Commission continued to play a key role in planning and policy formulation, the NDC's role evolved as a consultative body with broader discussions on developmental issues.

7. Discontinuation of the Planning Commission:

   • In 2014, the Planning Commission was dissolved, and the NITI Aayog (National Institution for Transforming India) was established as its successor. The NITI Aayog has a different structure and mandate, focusing on cooperative federalism and involving states in the policymaking process.

The relationship between the Planning Commission and the National Development Council was characterized by a cooperative and consultative approach, emphasizing the importance of decentralized planning and the active involvement of states in the formulation of national development policies. The subsequent establishment of the NITI Aayog marked a shift in the institutional framework, but the collaborative spirit and focus on cooperative federalism have continued in India's developmental planning processes.