Economy

National Development Council (NDC)

2 min read InclusiveIAS Editorial Team

The National Development Council (NDC), also known as the Rashtriya Vikas Parishad, is an apex body for decision making and deliberations on development matters, presided over by the Prime Minister of India and composed of Union Ministers, Chief Ministers of all the States and UTs, Administrators of Union Territories and Members of Planning Commission.

Establishment

It was constituted on 6 August 1952 through an executive resolution of the Government of India, following a recommendation in the draft outline of the First Five-Year Plan.

Nature

It is a non-constitutional and non-statutory body.

Objective

To secure cooperation of states in the execution of the Plan.
To strengthen and mobilise the efforts and resources of the nation in support of the Plan.
To promote common economic policies in all vital spheres.
To ensure balanced and rapid development of all parts of the country.

Composition of the National Development Council

The Prime Minister of India served as the ex-officio Chairperson.
All Union Cabinet Ministers were members of the Council.
Chief Ministers of all States were members.
Chief Ministers of Union Territories with legislatures and Administrators of other Union Territories were represented.
All members of the Planning Commission were members of the Council. (Now NITI Aayog).

Functions of the National Development Council

The functions of NDC are:

to prescribe guidelines for formulation of the National Plan including the assessment of resources for the Plan
to consider the National Plan as formulated by the Planning Commission.
to consider important questions of social and economic policy affecting national development.
to review the working of the Plan from time to time and to recommend such measures as are necessary for achieving the aims and targets set out in the National Plan.

Last Meeting

The National Development Council (NDC) held its 57th and last meeting on 27 December 2012 to consider and approve the Twelfth Five-Year Plan (2012–2017).

Status

In January 2016, reports indicated that the Central Government was considering abolishing the National Development Council (NDC) and transferring its functions to the Governing Council of NITI Aayog. However, no formal resolution abolishing the NDC had been issued as of the period covered by the source.

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