Prelims 2014 · Polity and Constitution · Question 97
Which of the following are associated with 'Planning' in India?
- The Finance Commission
- The National Development Council
- The Union Ministry of Rural Development
- The Union Ministry of Urban Development
- The Parliament.
Select the correct answer using the code given below.
Answer
2 and 5 only
Re-examined: UPSC is using planning in the institutional/constitutional sense, not every body/ministry that implements schemes.
1. Finance Commission — It is a constitutional body for tax devolution and grants, not a planning body. It is associated with finance, not with formulation/approval of plans. Verdict: Not counted.
2. National Development Council — It was a key planning institution, meant to approve and review national plans and involve States. Verdict: Associated.
3. Union Ministry of Rural Development — It is a line ministry implementing sectoral programmes; it is not an institution of national planning. Verdict: Not counted.
4. Union Ministry of Urban Development — Same logic: a sectoral ministry, not a planning body. Verdict: Not counted.
5. Parliament — Plans were discussed and plan outlays were authorized through budgetary processes; in UPSC's framing, it is associated with the planning process. Verdict: Associated.
Hence, only 2 and 5 are counted as associated with 'Planning' in India.