Sir — This refers to the editorial, “Niti Aayog’s mandate” (November 1). The editorial has rightly lauded the real functions of the Niti Aayog in the changed circumstances since 2015. The Planning Commission was a replication of the Soviet brand of imposed planning by the highest set-up in dictatorial USSR. It was emulated by former Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru in 1951. It reflected Nehru’s desire to impose his romantic fancies on the Union Government as well as State Governments, and made them accept his decision.
While the first plan had primacy on agriculture, the second initiated industrialisation without strengthening the foundation of cooperative federalism, which the Constitution envisaged. It provided to be a wasteful exercise. The Niti Aayog strives also to encourage ease of doing business and make administration the vehicle to address major public grievances. The Niti Aayog has, therefore, been a good replacement for the Planning Commission.