Question

What was the role of the prime minister in the planning commission?

• A. Secretary
• B. Dialogue partner
• C. Ex-Officio chairman
• D. Ex-Officio member

Answer 1

Answer:

C. Ex-Officio chairman

Role of the Prime Minister in the Planning Commission

• The Prime Minister of India traditionally served as the ex-officio Chairman of the Planning Commission.

• This meant that the position of Chairman was automatically held by the sitting Prime Minister, without needing a separate appointment.

• The Planning Commission was established in 1950 by an executive resolution of the Government of India.

• It was an advisory body tasked with making recommendations on the socio-economic development of the country.

• The Prime Minister's chairmanship signified the high political importance attached to national planning and development initiatives.

• The Prime Minister played a crucial role in setting the national priorities and directing the overall strategy for economic and social progress.

• Key decisions regarding Five-Year Plans, resource allocation, and policy formulation were often influenced or finalized under the Prime Minister's leadership.

• The Planning Commission was dissolved in 2015 and replaced by the NITI Aayog (National Institution for Transforming India).

• The NITI Aayog, however, has a different structure and role, with the Prime Minister serving as its ex-officio Chairman as well.