A note on initiatives and achievements of NITI Aayog for Economic Editors Conference-2016
| A note on initiatives and achievements of NITI Aayog for Economic Editors Conference-2016 organized by Press Information Bureau on 10th and 11th November, 2016, at National Media Centre (NMC), New Delhi. | ||||||||||||||||||
| 1. Constitution of National Institution for Transforming India (NITI) Aayog:
The National Institution for Transforming India (NITI) Aayog came into existence by a resolution of Government of India dated 1st January, 2015 replacing Planning Commission, with Prime Minster as its Chairperson. The NITI Aayog is to provide directional and strategic inputs to the development process. Allocation of Business Rules of NITI Aayog are given at Annexure -1. 2. Constitution of Governing Council of NITI Aayog and decisions taken in its first meeting:
Governing Council of NITI Aayog had been constituted with spirit of Strengthening Cooperative Federalism. The composition of Governing Council of NITI Aayog is given at Annexure -2. The first meeting of the Governing Council was held under the Chairmanship of Hon’ble Prime Minister with the Chief Ministers/Lt. Governors of the States/UTs and other Members of NITI Aayog on 8thFebruary, 2015 at Panchavati, 7, Race Course Road, New Delhi. The decisions taken in the meeting are as under:
· Constitution of 3 Sub-Groups: (a) Sub-Group of Chief Ministers on Rationalization of Centrally Sponsored Schemes, (b) Sub-Group of Chief Ministers on Skill Development and (c) Sub-Group of Chief Ministers on Swachh Bharat Abhiyan. · Constitution of 2 Task Forces: (a) Elimination of Poverty in India and (b) Agriculture Development. · Appraisal of the Twelfth Five Year Plan.
(a) Sub-Group of Chief Ministers on Rationalization of Centrally Sponsored Schemes (CSSs): The Sub- Group of Chief Ministers on Rationalization of Centrally Sponsored Schemes (CSS) was constituted on 9th March, 2015. The whole gamut of issues related to Centrally Sponsored Schemes (CSS) were considered by the Sub-Group. Based on the recommendations of the Sub-Group the note for the Cabinet was prepared by NITI Aayog which was approved by the Cabinet in its meeting held on 3rd August, 2016. In this regard, an order conveying the Cabinet decision has been circulated to all the Union Ministries/Departments and States/UTs and uploaded on NITI Aayog website for its implementation. However, the main decisions of the Cabinet are reproduced below under: · The existing 66 Centrally Sponsored Schemes (CSSs) have been rationalized into 28 umbrella schemes. · Out of 28 umbrella schemes, 6 schemes have been categorized as Core of the Core schemes, 21 schemes are Core schemes and remaining one is Optional scheme. · The existing funding pattern will continue for Core of the Core schemes. · For Core Schemes, the funding pattern for the 8 North Eastern States and Himalayan States of Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh & Jammu & Kashmir shall be Centre :90% ; State : 10% whereas for the rest of the States this ratio shall be Centre :60%: State: 40%. · For Optional Schemes, the funding pattern for the 8 North Eastern States and Himalayan States of Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh & Jammu & Kashmir shall be Centre :80% ; State : 20% whereas for the rest of the States this ratio shall be Centre :50%; State: 50%. · Ordinarily, no CSS will be sanctioned where the central share is less than 50%. · The flexi-funds available in each CSS has been raised from the current level of 10 per cent to 25 per cent for the States and 30 per cent for the UTs of the overall annual allocation under each Scheme so that the implementation can be better attuned to the needs of individual State /UT. (b). Swachh Bharat Mission:
Swachh Bharat Mission (SBM) was launched on October 2, 2014. The programme is India’s biggest ever drive to accelerate efforts to achieve universal sanitation coverage, improve cleanliness and eliminate open defecation in the country by 2019 as a fitting tribute to the 150th Birth Anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi. SBM targets both rural and urban areas. The Swachh Bharat Mission has two sub missions – the Swachh Bharat Mission (Gramin) {SBM (G)} for rural areas under the Ministry of Drinking Water and Sanitation (MDWS) and the Swachh Bharat Mission (Urban) for urban areas under the Ministry of Urban Development. For rural areas, the focus of Swachh Bharat Mission (Gramin) is on: v To make India Open Defecation Free (ODF) by October 2, 2019, by providing access to toilet facilities to all; and v Carrying out extensive Information, Education and Communication (IEC) and Behaviour Change Campaign with effective use of Mass media, Inter Personal Communication (IPC) at the household level to increase the usage of sanitation facilities. According to Census 2011, only 32.7 per cent of rural households had access to latrine facilities. The Base Line Survey conducted by Ministry of Drinking Water and Sanitation (MDWS) in 2012-13, showed slight increase in coverage and the coverage reached to 39%. During 2015-16, over 127 lakh household toilets were constructed. In 2016-17, 70.71 lakh IHHLs have been constructed till 17.10.2016. So far, 55.73% of rural households are covered with IHHLs and 1.07 lakh villages have declared themselves Open Defecation Free. In urban area, the objectives of Swachh Bharat Mission (Urban) are: · Eradication of Manual Scavenging, · Modern and Scientific Municipal Solid Waste Management, · To effect behavioural change regarding healthy sanitation practices, · Generate awareness about sanitation and its linkage with public health, · Capacity Augmentation for Urban Local bodies (ULBs) and · To create an enabling environment for private sector participation in Capex (capital expenditure) and Opex (operation and maintenance). So far, 24.05 lakh household toilets, 0.76 lakh seats of community toilets and 0.22 lakh seats of public toilets have been constructed out of mission targets of 66.42 lakh, 2.52 lakh and 2.56 lakh respectively. 100% door to door collection of solid waste in 39,571 out of 82,609 wards has been achieved. 405 cities have declared themselves Open Defecation Free. Waste to energy production and waste to compost production have reached to 88.4 Megawatt and 17000 tonnes respectively.
Sub-Group of Chief Ministers on Swachh Bharat Abhiyan: A Sub- Group of Chief Ministers on Swachh Bharat Abhiyan was constituted by NITI Aayog on 9thMarch, 2015. The Sub-Group has submitted its report to the Hon’ble Prime Minister in October, 2015 and most of the recommendations have been accepted.
(c). Sub-Group of Chief Ministers on Skill Development: The Sub- Group of Chief Ministers on Skill Development was constituted on 9th March, 2015. The Report of the Sub-Group of Chief Ministers on Skill Development was presented before the Hon’ble Prime Minister on 31/12/2015. The recommendation and actionable points emerging from the Report were approved by the Hon’ble Prime Minister. (d). Task Force on Elimination of Poverty in India: In response to the decision taken in the first meeting of the Governing Council of NITI Aayog held under the Chairmanship of Hon’ble Prime Minister on 8th February, 2015, the Task Force on Elimination of Poverty in India was constituted by NITI Aayog vide Order no. O-11013/O/2015-NI dated 16th March, 2015 under the Chairmanship of Dr. Arvind Panagariya, Vice Chairman, NITI Aayog. Terms of Reference of the Task Force of NITI Aayog are as follows: · To coordinate and develop synergy with the Central Ministries and State Governments’ Task Forces. · To develop working definition of poverty. · To prepare a roadmap for elimination of poverty.
· To suggest strategies and anti-poverty programmes including reform of the existing ones. · To identify successful anti-poverty programmes from which all states and UTs can learn, · Any other relevant measures.
The Task Force held consultation with different stakeholders in four meetings. Based on the work of the Task force of NITI Aayog and inputs provided in the States’ reports, an occasional paper on ‘Eliminating Poverty: Creating Jobs and Strengthening Social Programs’ was prepared and posted on official website of NITI Aayog. To discuss this paper with States & UTs, the four Regional Consultation meetings were held in Hyderabad, Jaipur, Delhi and Patna on 13th April 2016, 22nd April 2016, 2nd May 2016 and 6th May 2016 respectively. On the basis of deliberations with the States, the report of the Task Force was finalized and was submitted to Hon’ble Prime Minister on 11th July, 2016. (e). Task Force on Agriculture Development:
The Governing Council (GC) of NITI Aayog at its first meeting held under the chairmanship of Hon’ble Prime Minister on 8th February 2015 decided to constitute a Task Force on Agricultural Development at NITI Aayog to suggest measures to reinvigorate agriculture in the country. The NITI Taskforce on agricultural development was assigned the responsibility of coordinating with the State and UT Task Forces and central ministries. The Task Force on Agricultural Development was constituted on 16th March 2015 under the chairmanship of Vice Chairman, NITI Aayog. After consultations with farmers and farmers’ representatives, scientists, activists and experts, NITI Aayog Task Force made a presentation to Hon’ble PM on 16.09.2015. A discussion paper entitled “Raising Agricultural Productivity and Making Farming Remunerative for Farmers” based on the work of the Task Force on Agricultural Development was prepared and was put in public domain at www.niti.gov.in for public opinion. The paper received very wide coverage in the media and extensively referred to in Economic Survey for the year 2016-17. The paper dealt with 5 critical areas of Indian Agriculture focusing on (i) Raising Productivity, (ii) Remunerative Prices to Farmers, (iii) Land Leasing, Land Records & Land Titles; (iv) Second Green Revolution-Focus on Eastern States; and (v) Responding to Farmers’ Distress. The paper suggested important policy measures to bring in reforms in agriculture for the welfare of the farmers as well as enhancing their income. The Task force Report has been submitted to Prime Minister on 31st May, 2016. (f). Appraisal of Twelfth Five Year Plan (2012-17): A comprehensive new approach combining long term vision with medium term national agenda and short term action plans has been adopted. As a part of this approach, physical targets for the period ending March, 2017 and achievements ending March, 2016 and physical targets for the period ending March, 2017 have been incorporated in the Draft Appraisal Document of the 12th Five Year Plan. The draft Appraisal Document of the 12th Five Year Plan is in its final stage of printing.
3. New Initiatives of NITI Aayog as a Think Tank of Govt. of India:
I. Atal Innovation Mission:
India is considered to be the 3rd ranked country for Start-ups – this an enormous leap, that just a few years back looked a distant dream. The confidence seen in young entrepreneurs is amazing. Further, India has improved on Global Innovation Index to 66th position in 2016 against 81st last year. This is the result of a number of far-reaching initiatives taken by the Government in the last few years.
There are probably more than 100 million entrepreneurs in our country of varying hues and shades – this potential needs to be unlocked to create value. Our success in start-ups has centered largely on Information Technology enabled products and services like ecommerce, aggregators, data analytics, Internet of Things, financial sector with Bengaluru, Delhi NCR, and Mumbai being where most of this action is happening, however, the entrepreneurship must percolate to Tier II and Tier III locations for broad based inclusive growth.
The Government has set up Atal Innovation Mission (AIM) in NITI Aayog with a view to radically transforming the innovation and entrepreneurship ecosystem landscape of the country. NITI Aayog is shortlisting and processing the applications received from the eligible institutions and schools to apply for the following three major schemes under AIM.
(a) Establishing Atal Incubation Centres, (b) Providing scaling-up support to Established Incubation Centres, and (c) Establishing Atal Tinkering Laboratories in schools. The details and present status of these schemes are indicated below: (i) Atal Incubation Centres (AICs): NITI has received 3658 applications (1719 from academic institutions and 1939 from non-academic institution) for setting up Atal Incubation Centres (AICs) from Public and Private sector. These applications are under process of screening / shortlisting. AIM will provide financial support of Rs.10 crore over a period of 5 years to academic and non-academic institutions towards setting up and O&M for Atal Incubation Centres across India. They will be established in subject specific areas such as manufacturing, transport, energy, health, education, agriculture, water and sanitation, etc. These AICs will provide pre-incubation facilities, common infrastructure and services such as technology development assistance, networking and mentoring, funding access, training and development, business support services (entrepreneurship development, marketing, finance and accounting, research, legal, regulatory, etc.) to innovators and startup entrepreneurs for developing solutions. (ii). Support to Established Incubation Centres: AIM will also provide scale up support of Rs. 10 crore over a period of two years to Established Incubation Centres for augmenting their capacity. NITI has received 232 applications for providing scale up support to established incubation centres. After first round of screening, 153 applications have been found to be eligible. Further screening / shortlisting are under process on the basis of key performance indicators.
(iii). Atal Tinkering Labs: To foster creativity and scientific temper in students, AIM will provide one time establishment grant-in-aid of Rs. 10 lakh for establishing Atal Tinkering Laboratories (ATL) in schools (grade VI – XII) across India. Further, an amount of Rs. 10.00 lakh would also be provided for each ATL over a period of 5 years for O&M expenses of ATLs. Young children will get a chance to work with tools and equipment to understand the concepts of STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math). Competitions at regional and national scale will also be organised to showcase the innovations developed by the children. AIM is organising an Innovation Contest of about 600 schools on November 5, 2016 for final selections of about 200 schools for award of ATLs. (iv). Atal Grand Challenge Awards: Further, the AIM is also in the process to launch Atal Grand Challenge awards scheme which have the potential to spur affordable, novel disruptive innovative solutions for crucial socio-economic problems of India and the developing world. AIM will award innovators who develop ultra-low cost technological solutions to India’s stubborn problems such as lack of potable drinking water, 24X7 electricity, irrigation, sewerage treatment, among others. NITI Aayog is currently working on this scheme. NITI Aayog will be hosting Global Entrepreneurship Summit in 2017 wherein over 2500 entrepreneurs from about 180 countries would be invited. GES is a highly prestigious global event. This will further energize our entrepreneurship eco-system.
II. Regulatory Framework for Monitoring Performance of Infrastructure Sector: There is a lack of common approach and philosophy in the regulatory arrangements prevailing within different sectors of infrastructure. This was mentioned in the Finance Minister’s Budget Speech 2015-16. Building up on the work done since 2006, a draft Regulatory Reform Bill 2016 has been finalized after undertaking additional consultations with former regulators/stake holders as well as internal discussion in the NITI Aayog. On September 20, 2016 the Bill has been circulated for inter-Ministerial consultation, thereafter, the Bill will be sent for Cabinet approval after which it will be sent to the Parliament.
NITI Aayog has been made a Secretariat to anchor the infrastructure performance review meetings which are now chaired by the Hon’ble Prime Minister. During 2016, four such meetings have taken place. In May, 2016, Annual Targets for FY 2016-17 were fixed for various infrastructure sectors. These meetings have served as a forum for setting the priority of the country and getting a sense of the direction in which different sectors have to go.
III. Monitoring of the recommendations of the Group of Secretaries (GoS) for Governance and Growth: The Government of India had formed a Group of Secretaries (GoS) to examine and recommend measures to be taken by the Government for good governance, strengthening and streamlining the development and welfare activities in the country. The themes covered by the GOSs were: (a). Good Governance – Challenges and opportunities (b). Employment Generation Strategies (c). Farmer Centric Issues in Agriculture and Allied Sectors (d). Energy Conservation and Efficiency (e). Innovative Budgeting and Effective Implementation (f). Accelerated Growth with Inclusion and Equity (g). Swachh Bharat and Ganga Rejuvenation (h). Health and Education: Universal Access and Quality The recommendations of GOSs were circulated to all the Ministries/ Department with a direction to prepare Action Plans for implementation of the recommendations. The NITI Aayog has been assigned the role to monitor the implementation of Action Plans. A Presentation on the Key Action Plans compiled from the Action Plans received from the Ministries/Departments, was made by the Chief Executive Officer, NITI Aayog before the Prime Minister on Civil Services Day i.e. 21st April, 2016. NITI Aayog has also published a book containing the Action Plans of 62 Ministries/Departments.
IV. Poverty Estimates:
The erstwhile Planning Commission estimated poverty from the Large Sample Surveys on Household Consumer Expenditure carried out by the National Sample Survey Office (NSSO) of the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation. The latest data of Large Sample Survey on Household Consumer Expenditure has been collected by NSSO in its 68th round conducted in 2011-12. The poverty estimates for 2011-12 have been computed following the extant Tendulkar methodology and these have been released through a Press Note issued on 22nd July 2013. At 2011-12 prices, poverty line is monthly per-capita consumption expenditure of Rs. 816 for rural areas and Rs 1000 for urban areas, which amounts to a monthly consumption expenditure of Rs 4,080 in rural areas and Rs 5,000 in urban areas for a family of five. The poverty ratio for 2011-12 is estimated as 21.9% at all India Level, with 25.7% in rural areas and 13.7% in urban areas.
In conformity of its practice of reviewing the methodology for estimation of poverty, the erstwhile Planning Commission, in June 2012, constituted an Expert Group under the Chairmanship of Dr. C. Rangarajan to Review the Methodology for Measurement of Poverty. The Expert Group submitted its report to erstwhile Planning Commission on 30th June 2014. The Government is examining the report submitted by the Expert Group.
V. Transforming India Lecture Series organized by NITI Aayog:
NITI Aayog had organized a Transforming India Lecture Series on 26th August, 2016 at Vigyan Bhavan, New Delhi, which was inaugurated by the Hon’ble Prime Minister. While opening remarks were made by Shri Amitabh Kant, CEO, welcome address was delivered by Dr. Arvind Panagariya, Vice Chairman, NITI Aayog. Shri Tharman Shanmugaratnam, Deputy Prime Minister of Singapore delivered a key note address on ‘India in the Global Economy’. A Panel discussion was also held where Shri N.K. Singh, Chairman, FRBM Review Committee and former Member of Parliament, Dr. Bimal Jalan, Ex-Chairman, Expenditure Management Commission and Former Governor, RBI and Dr. Vijay Kelkar, Chairman, NIPFP and Former Chairman of Thirteenth Finance Commission were panelists and Dr. Arvind Panagariya, Vice Chairman, NITI Aayog was the Moderator. The concluding remarks and Vote of Thanks were made by Shri Amitabh Kant, CEO, NITI Aayog. The participants in the Lecture Series included, among others, Cabinet Ministers, Cabinet Secretary, Principal Secretary to the Prime Minister, PMO officials, Secretaries/ Senior Officers of various Ministries/ Departments of Govt. of India and officials of NITI Aayog as well as Chief Ministers/ Chief Secretaries and other senior officials of State Governments/UTs. CMDs and representatives of Central PSUs also participated in the Lecture Series. VI. Women Transforming India Award function at Teen Murti Auditorium:
NITI Aayog, in collaboration with MyGov, and the United Nations in India, had organized theWomen Transforming India Award function at Teen Murti Auditorium on 9.9.2016, wherein 12 phenomenal women were awarded for their work by the NITI Aayog.
VII. Address by Vice Chairman, NITI Aayog to Assistant Secretaries 2014 Batch of IAS:
Vice Chairman, NITI Aayog addressed all the Assistant Secretaries of 2014 Batch and officers of NITI Aayog on theme “Indian Economy – Where from and Where to” on 15th September, 2016 in the Islamic Cultural Centre, Lodhi Road, New Delhi.
VIII. Future Vision and Strategies to be taken beyond March, 2017:
The current financial year (2016-17) is the terminal year of the Twelfth Five Year Plan (2012-17). The exercise initiated for drawing the strategies for future is under progress, for which the following documents, with differing time horizons, are under preparation:
(a) A vision document keeping in view the social goals set and / or proposed and Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) for about 15 years for the period up to 2030 which is co-terminus with the period to achieve SDGs.
(b) A 7-year strategy from 2017-18 to 2023-24 to convert the longer vision into implementable policy and action as a part of “National Development Agenda” with a mid-term review after 3 years i.e. the year ending March 2020.
(c ) A 3-year Action Document for 2017-18 to 2019-20 aligned to the predictability of financial resources during the 14th Finance Commission Award period. This is also to help translate into actions the goals of the government to be achieved by 2019.
NITI Aayog has initiated consultations with Union Miniseries, State Governments, experts in the domain and academia, to formulate strategies and draw action plans with differing time horizons. Accordingly, a series of interaction meetings were held under the Chairmanship of Vice-Chairman, NITI Aayog as under: · Meetings with two groups of Eminent Economists held on 7th and 10th June, 2016. · Meeting with Business Editors held on 10th June, 2016. · Meeting with Agricultural Experts held on 21st June, 2016. · Meeting with Experts in Science & Technology and Innovation sector held on 21st June, 2016. Besides, as Internal Security and Defence are also being covered in these documents. IX. PM’s meeting on Vision, Strategies and Action Plan beyond March 2017 at NITI Aayog:
A meeting was held under the chairmanship of Hon’ble Prime Minister on 28th July, 2016 at NITI Aayog to discuss Vision, Strategies and Action Plan beyond March 2017. He directed NITI Aayog to create a vision document that would, chart a roadmap for India’s development for the next fifteen years, and also lay the foundation for the country’s growth over the next decades of the 21st century. He emphasized on skill development, intelligent application of India’s natural resources, human resources, food processing sector, and technology.
X. Closure of Sick Units:
NITI Aayog had constituted a Committee under the Chairmanship of Dr. Arvind Panagariya, Vice Chairman, NITI Aayog on sick/loss-making/non-performing Central Public Sector Enterprises (CPSEs) on 09.03.2016. The Committee has made its recommendations in respect of 74 CPSEs, break-up of which is summarized as under:
The Aayog had submitted two separate lists of sick and loss-making PSUs – one comprising those that can be closed down and the other of those where government can divest its stake.
XI. Strategic Disinvestment:
NITI Aayog had set up an Internal Committee chaired by Dr. Arvind Panagariya, Vice-Chairman, NITI Aayog, to take up the work on strategic disinvestment. 22 Central PSUs have been recommended for strategic disinvestment in two phases. On the recommendations of NITI Aayog, the Union Cabinet on 27th October, 2016 gave in-principle approval to strategic sales in some state-owned companies. The names of PSUs that are up for strategic stake sale would be made public once they are going to be put up for the auction. The companies are a mix of loss-making and profitable units and the government is looking to bring down its stake to less than 50% in some of them.
Strategic sales will involve a change in management control. Some of these are important units. Since each unit will be considered at its own merit, timing will also be decided accordingly. Valuations will also be done. The Department of Investment and Public Asset Management, and the ministries under which these companies function, will now draw up a detailed plan for the stake sales, cabinet’s approval will again be sought for each of them separately.
XII. Agricultural Marketing Reforms & State Ranking:
The existing State Agricultural Produce Marketing (Regulation) Acts of States impose restrictions on free flow of agriculture produce in the country, to the disadvantage of both farmers and consumers. Thus, there is a need to remove all types of physical, trade related and legal barriers to allow seamless movement of agricultural produce to every corner of the country. The Model Act (The State Agricultural Produce Marketing (Development & Regulation Act) was formulated in 2003 to effect those reforms. However, the States adopted various reforms half-heartedly and as consequence the reforms have been patchy. So far, many of the States had not amended their marketing laws for direct marketing, contract farming and for e-NAM.
Recently, NITI Aayog in consultation with Ministry of Agriculture, and Ministry of Environment & Forest has developed indices for agri-reforms and ease of doing agri-business to rank the States. Maharashtra emerged at first rank followed by Gujarat and Rajasthan in terms of agricultural reforms as well as for ease of doing agribusiness. The agricultural market reforms, land lease reforms and forestry sector reforms were taken into consideration while developing the indices to rank the States.
XIII. Resolution of Pending Issues of States of Telangana, Rajasthan, Bihar and Himachal Pradesh with Central Ministries:
NITI Aayog is closely working with the States to foster cooperative federalism through structured support and mechanisms. One of the tasks assigned to NITI Aayog is to offer a platform for resolution of inter sectoral and inter departmental issues to accelerate the implementation of developmental agenda of the States. There might be issues from Govt. of India towards the States which can be discussed in these meetings and it would be helpful if these issues are intimated to the States in advance so that they can come prepared for the meeting.
(a). Telangana: A meeting was held on 28th January, 2016 under the chairmanship of Dr. Arvind Panagariya, Vice Chairman, NITI Aayog with the senior officials of seven Central Ministries and State Government to discuss the various issues of Telangana. About 20 important issues flagged by State Government relating to Ministries of Coal, Petroleum & Natural Gas, Power; Environment, Forests & Climate Change, Culture, Finance and Rural Development were discussed during the meeting and about 16 issues were resolved. Some of them are as under: · On the issues of allocation of natural gas for Karimnagar and Shankarpally gas based power projects, Ministry of Petroleum & Natural Gas has mentioned that domestic production of natural gas is less than the demand. They advised the State Government as the market price of gas is quite reasonable at present, they may purchase gas from the market and existing infrastructure of Government of India can be utilised for supply of gas. About Bhadradri Thermal Power Project, the State has been advised to adopt super critical technology to address the environmental issues. · On the issue of CST compensation as demanded by the State, it was noted that there is a mismatch in the figures quoted by the State Government vis-a-vis Department of Revenue, Ministry of Finance. The State has been advised to first reconcile the figures with the Ministry of Finance. · On the demand of Telangana State for release of balance 13th Finance Commission grants on par with AP, the Department of Expenditure has been advised to relook into it. · Regarding the issue relating to the selection of beneficiaries under rural housing, the Ministry of Rural Development clarified that it has no objection if the state incorporates additional features provided the SECC data is used for selection of beneficiaries. Further the State has been clarified that they can use their own software for the payment disbursement under rural housing provided they feed the data in national portal through web-server. (b). Rajasthan: A meeting was organized in NITI Aayog on 15th June, 2016 under the Chairmanship of Dr. Arvind Panagariya, Vice Chairman with the representatives of the State Govt. of Rajasthan and various Ministries/Departments of the Govt. of India. The State of Rajasthan had raised 33 issues and subsequently more issues were sent by Govt. of Rajasthan. However, discussion was focused on the followings for resolution and most of the issues were resolved. (i) Release of funds in AIBP for Narmada Canal Projects and Gang Canal Project. (ii) Release of Central Assistance for ongoing projects (Bilaspur, Chambal, Gang Canal, Sidhmukh and Amar Singh Sub Branch Project) (iii) Detailed project report on ‘study for rejuvenation of Saraswati Palaeo Drainage and Exploration of Ground Water Resources in Western Rajasthan (iv) Delhi-Jaipur Expressway (v) Inclusion of improvement of NH section of old NH left out due to Construction of Bypasses of Towns. (vi) Northern Ring Road of Jaipur (vii) Additional allocation of funds under NRDWP over and above normal allocation by according special Assistance to Rajasthan Government. (viii) Additional alloction of funds to clear pending payment liabilities under NRDWP (ix) Establishment of breeding center for great Indian Bustard in Jaisalmer Area (x) Sanction of State Action Plan (SAP) for great Indian Bustard conservation. (xi) National Lake Conservation Plan (NLCP) Fatehsagar and Pichola Lakes, Udaipur. (xii) National Lake Conservation Plan (NLCP)-new lakes.action required was for the approval of proposal for 10 new lakes. (xiii) Establishment of Tiger Safari-Cum-Rescue Centre at Amli in Ranthambhore Tiger Reserve (xiv) Reimbursement of administrative and other expenses incurred in MNREGA payments. (xv) Inclusion of 9 Districts under National Horticulture Mission. The state require inclusion of remaining 9 Districts under NHM. (xvi) Inclusion of Banswara, Chittorgargh, Dungarpur, Rajasamand, Pratapgarh and Udaipur Districts under NFSM Coarse Cereals. (xvii) DBTK (Direct Benefit Transfer Of Kerosene) (xviii) Super Specially Block in all Medical Colleges (xix) New medical college attached to existing Districts Hospitals Schemes (Alwar, Bharatpur, Churu, Barmer, Pali, Bhilwara, Dungarpur) (xx) New medical college attached to existing Districts Hospitals Schemes (Alwar, Bharatpur, Churu, Barmer, Pali, Bhilwara, Dungarpur) (xxi) Establishment of Multidisciplinary Research Laboratories in Medical Colleges (xxii) Increase of 350 MBBS seats in existing State Medical Colleges (xxiii) Financial assistance (up to 50 % of the project cost) under IPDS for upgradation/ Establishment of Common Effluent Treatment Plan (CETP) for achieving Liquid Zero Discharge (ZLD) for cluster of Textile units. (xxiv) Projects under Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban Transformation (AMRUT) (xxv) Pending proposal for Central assistance for construction of hostel building for SC, ST and OBC. (xxvi) Post Matric Scholarship Scheme for Scheduled Caste (SC) and Scheduled Tribe (ST). (xxvii) Release of Central Share under National Food Security Scheme. (xxviii) Insufficient coverage of beneficiaries under NFSS. (xxix) Exclusion of Gram and Mustard from NCDEX.
The above issues were concerning ministries of Water Resources, Road Transport and Highways, Drinking Water and Sanitation, Environment and Forests, Finance, Agriculture, Petroleum and Natural Gas, Health and Family Welfare, Textiles, Urban Development, Social Justice and Empowerment and Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution
(c ). Bihar: A meeting was organised on 8th September 2016 under the Chairmanship of Dr. Arvind Panagaria, Vice- Chairman, NITI Aayog, with the representatives of State Government of Bihar and various Ministries/Departments of the Government of India.
The Chief Minister Bihar, through a letter had raised the outstanding issues of Bihar pertaining to about a dozen departments / ministries. The issues ranged from release of funds under Sarva Siksha Abhiyan (MHRD) and Pradhan Mantri Gramin Awaas Yojana (MoRD) to policy related for example having uniform compensation norm for land acquisition under all the projects in the state. The issues deliberated in the meeting covered the areas such as highways sector, water resources, industry, education, rural development, tourism, minority affairs, public food distribution, Backward Regions Grant Fund (BRGF) etc. Some of the issues such as settling of outstanding amount in respect of maintenance of national highways, AIBP and BRGF were pending for decision making for more than 3-4 years.
On many issues consensus was reached during the course of the discussion and the issues were resolved. However, for some issues, which had complex technical and procedural aspects, such as river- linkages, revision of norms of PR and IRQP works for NHAI and maintenance of highways etc. a way forward was suggested. After detailed discussion on the issues related to the Ministry of Water Resources, it was decided that work on Kosi – Mechi River Interlinking Project will be started soon. The process for approval of other irrigation projects would be taken up on an urgent basis. The MoRTH communicated that the project of rehabilitation of Mahatma Gandhi Setu on River Ganga in Patna (NH 19) has been approved by the GOI.
At the end of the meeting, substantial progress was made even on issues that could not be brought to full resolution. The Chief Secretary Bihar, expressed deep satisfaction at the outcome of the meeting and appreciated the initiative of the NITI Aayog.
(d). Himachal Pradesh:
NITI Aayog organized a meeting on 26th September, 2016 under the Chairmanship of Dr. Arvind Panagariya, Vice Chairman, with a delegation from the Himachal Pradesh government and various Ministries/Departments of the Government of India.
In June, 2016, the CM, Himachal Pradesh had written to NITI Aayog enclosing a list of issues pending with the central ministries. The issues broadly covered in the discussion related to health, education, environment and forest, rural development, food and public distribution, water resources, culture, tourism, industry and textiles. A number of issues were resolved in the meeting. However, for some of the issues, the Central Ministries requested the State Government to resubmit their proposals with requisite information and modifications.
Regarding the upgradation of Indira Gandhi Medical College, the MoHFW suggested the state government to change the project site and the same was agreed upon by the latter. Out of nine trauma care facilities as demanded by the state, MoU has been signed for five centres. The issue of diversion of forest land for non-forestry purpose was discussed in detail. The MoEFCC Secretary stated that such diversions get delayed at the DFO and Conservator of Forest level. He suggested the state government to flag all issues related to forest so that they could be taken up in the draft policy which is under preparation. VC suggested the MoEFCC for flexible laws. Regarding translocation of ancient temples submerged in Gobind Sagar lake, ASI team agreed to visit the site in October first week to identify the sites for translocation.
At the end, Chief Secretary, Himachal Pradesh expressed deep satisfaction on the outcome of the meeting and was appreciative of this initiative by the NITI Aayog.
XIV. Clean Drinking Water in Arsenic and Fluoride affected Areas: Naturally occurring arsenic contamination of groundwater presents a serious threat to public health. It has been found in at least 70 countries and could affect more than 140 million people, most of whom live in Asia. The effects of arsenicosis (the result of ingesting too much arsenic) appear gradually, often over years. Arsenic kills and cripples both children and adults by causing cancers, heart and lung disease, and stillbirths. It harms the future of children through intellectual impairment. As on 3rd November, 2016, there are 1684 arsenic affected habitation which cover the population of 18.61 lakh based on the earlier Permissible limit for Arsenic at 0.05 mg/litre for drinking water. The Permissible limit for Arsenic has now been revised by Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) to 0.01 mg/litre. The Ministry of Drinking Water and Sanitation is working on estimating the number of habitations and affected population due to revision in the Permissible limit. Fluoride is an essential element, which is good for the teeth enamel and helps to prevent dental caries. In excessive doses, however, it will lead to a chronic fluoride poisoning (fluorosis). Fluoride contamination of groundwater is a growing problem in many parts of the world. High concentration of fluoride is reported both from hard rock (granites & gneisses) as well as alluvial aquifers. As on 3rdNovember, 2016, there are 13618 fluoride affected habitation which cover the population of 1.12 crore. The Permissible limit for fluoride is 1.50 mg/litre.
Prevention and control · The most important action in affected communities is the prevention of further exposure to arsenic and fluoride by the provision of a safe water supply for drinking, food preparation and irrigation of food crops. There are a number of options to reduce levels of arsenic and fluoride in drinking-water. · Substitute high-arsenic and fluoride sources, such as groundwater, with low-arsenic and fluoride, microbiologically safe sources such as rain water and treated surface water. · Discriminate between high density (arsenic and fluoride) and low density (arsenic and fluoride) sources. For example, test water for arsenic and fluoride levels and paint tube wells or hand pumps with different colours. This can be an effective and low-cost means to rapidly reduce exposure to arsenic when accompanied by effective education. · Install arsenic and fluoride removal systems – either centralized or domestic – and ensure the appropriate disposal of the removed arsenic and fluoride.
Apart from the efforts of Ministry of Drinking Water and Sanitation to provide safe and adequate drinking water supply in Water Quality affected areas of the country under National Rural Drinking Water Programme; on the recommendations of NITI Aayog, Ministry of Finance, Government of India had released Rs. 1,000 crore as one time assistance towards support for installation of Community Water Purification Plants (CWPPs) and the surface water projects where funds for last mile connectivity were required in 19 arsenic/fluoride affected States in March, 2016. The work is in progress and is expected be completed by March, 2017. It is planned to provide 8-10 litres per capita safe drinking water for drinking and cooking purposes in arsenic/fluoride affected areas through installation of Community Water Purification Plants.
4. Sectoral Achievements:
I. Agriculture Sector:
(a). Bringing Agricultural Reforms through the e-National Agricultural Market (e-NAM):
The existing agri-marketing system in the Country is constrained with severe institutional and infrastructural constraints. In order to overcome these impediments and create a unified national market for agricultural commodities, e-NAM, the e-trading platform for the National Agriculture Market was launched by the Government in April 2016 and 21 mandis from 8 States joined e-NAM. The e-NAM would provide a platform to have a transparent and stable price discovery at national level, transforming the market into a competitive one and ultimately benefit the farmers. It will cover selected 585 regulated wholesale markets in States/UTs by 2017-18 and provide a single window service for all APMC related information and services. This will facilitate rapid direct interface between farmers and buyers by reducing number of intermediaries. It will also benefit the farmers in terms of better selling options, competitive returns and reasonable and stable prices to the consumers. However, inter-state variations in the rats of taxes/ levies and commissions add to the price differentials across states even for the same grade/ quality commodity. Unless common taxes/ levies are fixed at all India level with free inter-state movement of commodities, physical integration of markets of the country would be difficult to realize.
The items under the NAM include transparent sale transactions and price discovery, liberal licensing to intermediaries, one license for a trader valid across all markets in the State, harmonization of quality standards, and single point levy of market fees. Hence the Centre will have to initiate dialogue with States to establish necessary infrastructure facilities and amend existing rules for successful implementation of the Scheme.
(b). Demand Supply Projections in Agriculture:
During the two consecutive drought years, food-grains production in the country has marginally increased during 2015-16 and is targeted to increase by about 7 percent to 270.10 million ton in 2016-17. In April, 2016 the IMD had predicted the monsoon to be “above normal” after consecutive droughts, with country receiving 106 per cent of the Long period Average (LPA) rain, which is the first time since 1999 that “above normal” prediction was made by the IMD. In view of expected good monsoon, target for rice production has been set at 108.50 million ton, while, it is 96.50 million ton for wheat, 20.75 million ton for pulses, 35 million ton for oilseeds and 355 million ton for sugarcane. Against above normal prediction, the country received 85.50 mm rainfall (18 percent below the LPA) against the normal rainfall of 103.80 mm during June, 2016.
Kharif sowing picked up with the progress of monsoon and covered the rest of the country while an increased water level in reservoirs is expected to have a positive impact on rabi output. However, level of food-grains stocks in the Central Pool particularly wheat is going to lower than last year but sufficient to meet the operational requirements under targeted public distribution scheme (TPDS) and other welfare schemes and food security reserves.
Rabi food-grains production has witnessed an increase of around 3.5 percent in-spite of a fall in area by 4 percent essentially due to 7.8 percent growth in yield during 2015-16. Production of wheat has increased by 8.7 percent with a fall of 4.5 percent area under it, demonstrating an increase of 13.8 percent in its yield. An increase of 8.4 percent in yield of barley has resulted in a marginal increase in its production over the last year though are under crop has recorded a fall of 7.4 percent. Area under gram has increased by 3.3 percent but production has recorded an increase of 2.0 percent due to fall in its yield. However total rabi pulses have shown a slight increase in area, production and yield during 2015-16. Rapeseed & Mustard has recorded an increase of 9 percent in its production and yield with a marginal increase of around 1 percent in area during 2015-16. Safflower has registered a fall of 30.2 percent in its production due to 17.7 percent fall in area and yield lower by 15.1 percent during 2015-16 as compared to the previous year.
(c). Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY):
The PMFBY, recently launched by the GoI will replace the existing two schemes viz.National Agricultural Insurance Scheme (NAIS) as well as Modified NAIS (MNAIS) which had some inherent drawbacks. Under this new insurance scheme, the farmers’ premium remains between 1.50 to 2.00 per cent for food-grains and oilseeds crops and up to 5.00 per cent for horticultural and cotton crops. The farmers’ premium would be 1.50 per cent for rabi food-grains and oilseeds crops, while 2.00 per cent for kharif food-grains and oilseeds crops. For horticultural and cotton crops it has been fixed at up to 5.00 per cent for both the seasons.
The PMFBY envisages in increasing the insurance coverage to 50 per cent of the total crop area of 194.40 million hectare from the existing level of about 25 to 27 per cent crop area. In PMFBY, there will not be a cap on the premium and reduction of the sum insured, 25 per cent of the likely claim will be settled directly on farmers account and there will be one insurance company for the entire state as well as farm level assessment of loss for localised risks and post-harvest loss.
Private insurance companies, along with the Agriculture Insurance Company of India Ltd, will implement the scheme. All claim liability will be on insurer and the government would give upfront premium subsidy. The new scheme is significant as the country is facing drought for the second straight year due to poor monsoon rains and the government wants to enhance insurance coverage to more crop area to protect farmers from vagaries of monsoon.
II. State Coordination-Cooperative Federalism;
(a). National Conference of Chief Secretaries and Planning Secretaries of States and Union Territories:
The States Coordination, NITI Aayog has organized one day National Conference of Chief Secretaries and Planning Secretaries of States and Union Territories on 27th July, 2016 at Vigyan Bhawan, New Delhi. The central focus of the conference was on the initiation of the new planning process involving the preparation of the long-term vision, strategy and concrete 3-year action plan in the country beyond 31st March, 2017. Other strategically related issues/ areas discussed included: the proposed merger of ‘Plan’ and ‘Non-plan’ classification; delivering Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs); NITI’s technical support initiative for States, called Development Support Services for States (DSSS); creating good jobs and double-digit growth; best practices from States, etc. All the States and UTs participated in the Conference.
(b). National Conference on Good Practices : The States Coordination Division has organized a one day National Conference under the Chairmanship of Vice Chairman of NITI Aayog on Good Practices in Social Sector Service Deliveryon 23.05.2016 in New Delhi with the aim to provide a knowledge sharing platform where State and UTs Governments would come together and share their experiences in implementing good practices with regards to service delivery in social sector. The National Conference focused on select case studies from the Education and Health sectors, and intended to have a cross learning experience where non-government and government initiatives came together to provide for effective and efficient service delivery. The representatives of Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, Ministry of Human Resource Development, Department of Health and Education of States and UTs Governments, Academicians/ Research Institutes, Subject experts, NGOs participated in Conference and contributed to the deliberations.
III. Health Sector:
Reform of Indian Medical Council (IMC) Act, 1956:
The Parliamentary Standing Committee on Health in its 92nd Report has observed that MCI “has repeatedly failed all its mandates over the decades” and urged the Central Government to usher in game changer reforms of transformational nature. Such is the distrust of the opaque functioning of the MCI, that the Supreme Court was constrained to appoint an Oversight Committee headed by an ex CJI, Justice RM Lodha to supervise its functioning the interim till such time as a decision on reforms is taken up at the appropriate Executive or Legislative Authority.
The Committee constituted under the Chairmanship of Vice Chairman, NITI Aayog to examine the legal provisions and modalities of working of the Medical Council of India has submitted the draft National Medical Commission (NMC) Bill, 2016. The major features of the Draft NMC Bill are below.-
§ Nominated regulators rather than elected regulators with some representation of non-Medical experts. § Separation of functions (UG Education, PG Education, Assessment &: Rating and Registration &: Ethics) into autonomous Boards with overarching NMC for policy coordination. § A compact executive body (NMC) to facilitate quick decision making. § NMC autonomy from the Central Government.; vested with power to make regulations without referring it to the Government § Merit based admissions through a compulsory common entrance examination (NEET) to stamp out the pernicious practice of discretion based admission via the back door of Management/ NRI quotas and/or capitation fees. § Ensure uniform standards of medical professionals graduating from different medical institutions through a mandatory National Common Licentiate Examination. § Transparent and pro-active disclosure by Medical institution with regard to fees, § A mandatory assessment and rating of Medical colleges on annual basis to be carried out and published in order to enable prospective students to make an informed choice.
The draft NMC Bill, 2016 was placed on the official website of NITI on 09.08.2016 for seeking comments of public/experts. The Report of the Committee has also been shared with the States. Comments have been received from States, public, experts (including invitees by the Committee), private Medical Universities, advocacy groups & MCI. The suggestions/comments are under consideration.
IV. Energy Sector:
National Energy Policy (NEP): With a view to develop a comprehensive National Energy Policy and focus on development of energy related infrastructure, human resource and technology as per the Hon’ble President’s address to Parliament in 2014, NITI Aayog has been entrusted with the task of developing a National Energy Policy. NITI Aayog partnered with 9 Stakeholders to organize stakeholder consultation, arranged workshops on identified equal number of salient themes, like Coal, Petroleum and Natural Gas, Air Quality, Energy Efficiency etc. and finalized the draft Energy Policy in March 2016, which has been circulated for inter-Ministerial consultation. V. Housing Sector: (a). Housing for All: Housing for all has been proclaimed as a national priority for the Government of India. The Government in the President’s address announced – “By the time the nation completes 75 years of its Independence (by 2022), every family will have a pucca house with water connection, toilet facilities, 24×7 electricity supply and access”. Housing for All has two components: Housing for All (Rural) implemented by Ministry of Rural Development and Housing for All (Urban) implemented by Ministry of Housing and Urban Poverty Alleviation. To achieve the goal of Housing for All by 2022, nearly 3 crore houses would be built in rural areas in the next 7 years and about 2 crore houses in the urban areas. (i). Housing for All (Rural) [Pradhan Mantri Awaas Yojana–Gramin]: A target of 2.95 crore houses is set to be achieved by 2022 under Indira Awaas Yojana now renamed as Pradhan Mantri Awaas Yojana –Gramin. In order to achieve the objective, it is proposed that the number of houses to be constructed may be taken up in a phased manner. Therefore, it is proposed that one crore households would be provided assistance for construction of pucca house under the project during the period from 2016-17 to 2018-19.The expenditure involved in implementing the project in a span of 3 years from 2016-17 to 2018-19 is Rs.81975 crore. The unit assistance has now been enhanced from 70000/- to 1,20,000/- in plain areas and Rs. 75000/- to 1,30,000/- in hilly states/ IAP districts/ difficult areas w.e.f. 1.4.2016. Convergence with Swachh Bharat Mission (G) for construction of sanitary toilets and the MGNREGA for providing the unskilled wage component in the construction of the house have brought in increased resources for the beneficiary. Socio-Economic Caste Census, 2011 data is being used to identify the houseless households and households living in zero rooms/ 1 room / 2 rooms with katcha walls and katcha roof. Identification of beneficiaries eligible for assistance and their prioritization is to be done using information on the housing deprivation parameters of Socio Economic and Caste Census (SECC), 2011 database). 60% of the funds have been earmarked for SCs and STs, 15% for minorities and 3% for persons with disabilities. Since inception of the scheme in 1985, approximately 3.60 crore houses have been constructed. 18.30 lakh houses have been constructed during 2015-16. During the current financial year 2016-17, a target of 32.60 lakh has been kept for construction of the houses out of which 12.31 lakh houses have been constructed as on October 6, 2016. (ii). Housing for All (Urban) [Pradhan Mantri Awaas Yojana–Urban]:
The Mission provides following four verticals to the States/UTs to meet the demand of housing in their States/UTs:- · Slum rehabilitation of Slum Dwellers with participation of private developers using land as a resource; · Promotion of affordable housing for weaker section through credit linked subsidy; · Affordable housing in partnership with Public & Private sectors and · Subsidy for beneficiary-led individual house construction or enhancement. The Mission is implemented as a Centrally Sponsored Scheme (CSS). All 4041 statutory towns are covered under the Mission. Central Government provides assistance in the range of Rs.1.00 lakh to Rs.2.30 lakh per house under different components of the Scheme. So far Rs.3533.54 crore has been released under the programme. Total 14,508 houses have been completed, 1,51,041 houses are under progress. VI. Human Resource Development Sector: (a). Setting up of Foreign Education Institution Campuses in India: There is no enabling law for the entry and operation of foreign Universities in India. The absence of such a law (i) deters foreign Universities of repute to enter into India, (ii) leads to entry of a number of low quality foreign Universities to offer their programmes, and (iii) as per UNESCO Institute for Statistics (2012) report, the number of Indian students going abroad for study totals up to 1,89,472. This is a likely consequence of lack of adequate seats in high quality Institutions in India and the relatively small number of Institutions of Higher Education that are internationally recognized Institutions of high repute. The measures taken by Institutions (Association of Indian Universities, University Grants Commission, AICTE) and by the Ministry of HRD as well as Legislative measures have not been successful to any reasonable degree, as in the last 10-15 years Four Bills (1995, 2005, 2006, 2007 and 2010) have not been able to muster the requisite support and have lapsed. Going forward, a road map has been prepared for setting up Foreign University Campuses and allowing Foreign Educational Institutions to set up campuses in India and through twinning programmes and joint ventures need to be examined against the following parameters: · Raising Educational Standards and International Benchmarking; · Attracting Investment in the Higher Education sector; · Leveraging India’s Soft Power; and leverage · Strengthening Regulation
(b). Strengthening Regulation: The Regulations, whether framed through a new legislation or through amendment in the existing UGC Act, 1956 (Section 3 – Deemed Universities) and Section 12 (right to grant degrees) may focus on the following:
· Most institutions in India are set up by trusts, societies and charitable companies where profits are reinvested in the institutions. This could deter foreign institutions. There should be a provision that a substantial amount of revenue should be reinvested in the institutions in India. · Joint ventures between the foreign education provider and local partner may be considered. There should be provision for franchising. · Registration and certification systems should be effective in preventing unapproved institutions from partnering and creating a level playing field between domestic and foreign institutions so that the former can compete effectively in a liberalised environment. There is a need to give autonomy to Indian higher education institutions to make them compete globally. · There should be limitation on the number of programmes/campuses. Programmes that are only accredited by International standards should be allowed to operate in India. The accreditation may also from international bodies that are recognised globally. · There should be a strong emphasis on research and innovation in these universities. The commitment to do active research in frontier areas and to ensure a reasonable amount on research expenditure should be made by the foreign university operating in India. · In case, the legislative route is not feasible, both UGC and AICTE may be directed to amend their Regulations issued in 2012 and 2005 respectively, namely, UGC (Promotion and Maintenance of Standards of Academic Collaboration between Indian and Foreign Education Institutions) Regulations 2012 and AICTE Regulation for Entry and Operation of Foreign Universities in India imparting technical education.. · Finally, it is opportune at this time to bring together all the recommendations made in various Reports since 2005, examine the weaknesses in the legislative measures that could not muster support as well as spell out a clear policy for attracting foreign Universities to India. At the same time, a concerted effort needs to be made to create a conducive environment for Indian institutions to establish their presence abroad in identified areas.
(c). Finalization of Regulatory framework for setting up 10 private and 10 public word- class institutions with academic & administrative autonomy: The announcement by the Finance Minister in the Budget of 2016-17, that an “enabling regulatory architecture will be provided to 10 public and 10 private institutions to emerge as world-class teaching and research institutions” is indeed very apt and laudable. Further, in a meeting on Education sector taken by Hon’ble Prime Minister on 10/03/2016, it was decided that NITI Aayog along with Ministry of HRD would undertake an exercise on finalization of Regulatory framework for setting up 10 private and 10 public word- class institutions with academic & administrative autonomy. With an initial corpus of INR 1000 crores, the government has approved the proposal of creation a not-for-profit Higher Education Financing Agency (HEFA) to “leverage funds from the market” and support infrastructural improvements in those shortlisted “top 20 institutions”. The Government is yet to finalize the modalities of selection of institutions. However, the UGC has prepared the draft guidelines and regulations on World Class Institutions after having wider consolations and the MHRD has invited the public comments up to 28th October 2016, by placing them on its website. VII. Water Resources Sector: Implementation of Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana (PMKSY) has been accorded very high priority by the Government of India. The details are under:
· 99 Major and Medium Irrigation projects have been prioritized for implementation under Accelerated Irrigation Benefits Programme (AIBP). Completion of these projects would provide irrigation coverage over 76 lakh ha. Out of these prioritized projects, 23 projects have been shortlisted for early completion i.e. by 31st March, 2017. 31 projects are targeted for completion during 2017-18 and the remaining 45 projects by December, 2019. · For tracking Water Management Initiatives in the States and UTs, Composite Water Management Index (WMI) has been developed by NITI Aayog. A total of 68 Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) have been identified for assessing the performance of States/UTs on sustainable management of Water Resources. VIII. Environment and Forest Sector: · India’s NDC (Nationally Determined Contribution): India to reduce the Emissions Intensity of its GDP by 33 to 35 Per Cent by 2030 from 2005 level. And to create additional Carbon Sink of 2.5 to 3 Billion Tonnes of Carbon di-oxide (CO2) equivalent through Additional Forest and Tree Cover by 2030. · As per India State of Forest Report 2015, total forest and tree cover of the country is 24.16 %. Notably, there is an increase of 3,775 sq. km in forest cover compared to 2013 assessment. · The focus of the Government is on sustainable management of natural resources such as land, water, forest and minerals, while maintaining a clean environment. · IX. Minerals Sector: · NITI Aayog is working on development of suitable strategies not only for achieving self-reliance in critical strategic resources like Rare Earths but also for becoming a leading manufacturer of RE-based end-products in the World.
XIV. Holistic Development of Islands: · NITI Aayog has been mandated to steer the initiatives for holistic and sustainable development of Islands. · 10 Islands, 5 in Andaman & Nicobar and 5 in Lakshadweep have been shortlisted for development on priority in the first phase. 5. Other Major Activities/Achievement: I. Mumbai- Ahmedabad High Speed Railway (MAHSR) project: Mumbai- Ahmedabad High Speed Railway (MAHSR) project in under implementation as per Memorandum of Cooperation (MoC) signed by the Government of India and Government of Japan. This collaboration is based on the recommendation of the Empowered Committee for Innovative Collaborations led by Dr. Arvind Panagariya, Vice Chairman, NITI Aayog, that recommended this project due to low cost funding, apart from a commitment to technology transfer and local manufacturing. The project is estimated to cost approximately Rs. 1,00,000/ crore. Japan has agreed to fund 81% of the total project cost through a 50 year loan at an interest rate of 0.1% with a moratorium up to 15 years. In January 2016, the PMO constituted a High Level Joint Committee on MAHSR project to be led by NITI Aayog. Vice Chairman to accelerate the execution of this project. Three meetings of this committee with the Japanese counterpart has been held till date. The last meeting was held on 7th October 2016 at New Delhi. Progress report on the project will be released during the upcoming summit meeting between the Prime Minister of India and Japan. The important Mile Stones of the project are:- · The General Consultant (GC) will start work in 2016. · The construction work will commence in 2018. · The operation will start in 2023.
II. National Initiative towards Strengthening Arbitration and Enforcement:
In recent times, India has undertaken major structural reforms to facilitate ease of doing business. These include a robust bankruptcy framework, a new digital payments regulatory regime and vast reforms in the corporate law statute. To complement these reforms and further deepen India’s engagement with international commerce, the Indian Government has recently unveiled various policy measures to facilitate commercial dispute resolution especially through arbitration. Vast scale legal reforms have been undertaken to revamp the existing arbitration framework. Our attempt is to improve the institutional capacity necessary to create a vibrant ecosystem to make India the next big hub for international commercial arbitration. To brainstorm on the above, NITI Aayog has organized a “Global Conference on National Initiative towards Strengthening Arbitration and Enforcement in India” from October 21st – 23rd, 2016. Hon’ble the Chief Justice of India was the Chief Patron of the Conference.
III. Expert Group on Land Leasing: An Expert Group on Land Leasing has also been constituted to review of existing Agricultural Tenancy Laws of State(s) to suggest appropriate amendments to legalize and liberalize land leasing for much needed occupational diversification and rapid Rural Transformation. The Expert Group consulted States, NGOs, academician, legal experts and Farmers group to develop a model land leasing act. The model land leasing act has been submitted to Vice Chairman, NITI Aayog on 31st March, 2016. IV. Constitution of Advisory group under the Chairmanship of Vice Chairman, NITI Aayog: Achieving India’s developmental goal of 175 GW of Renewable Electricity (RE) by 2022 will require new initiatives from central and state governments-beyond policy and programs currently in place to support the engagement, participation, and new behaviors of power sector stakeholders. An Advisory group was constituted under the Chairmanship of Vice Chairman, NITI Aayog to implement the RE Roadmap 2030 and look after the issue of integration of RE into the electricity grid by promoting coordination between the Centre and states. 6. Attached offices of NITI Aayog: There are two attached offices of NITI Aayog. The achievements of which are as under:
I. Development Monitoring Evaluation Office(DMEO):
(a) Progress on the monitoring of the implementation of Departmental Action Plans on 8 thematic areas:
(i) The Department/ Ministries had prepared their Departmental Action Plans for implementation of the recommendations given by the Groups of Secretaries on 8 thematic areas. The NITI Aayog has been asked by the Government of India to monitor the implementation of Departmental Action Plans.
(ii) The NITI Aayog has identified 314 Action Points for monitoring from the Departmental Action Plans prepared by the 64 Departments/ Ministries. It has been decided to extend the monitoring to 82 Departments/ Ministries. The Action Points identified are being at present monitored through an Excel file. However, a system is under development which would enable online and interactive monitoring through a Dashboard where each Department/ Ministry will have user ID to access and update their own Departmental Action Plans.
(iii) Presentations were held in NITI Aayog in July, 2016 where 82 Departments/ Ministries displayed the progress they have already made in the implementation of their Departmental Action Plans. (b) Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs): “Transforming our World: the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development” The 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and 169 related Targets have been resolved in September 2015 in the UN General Assembly by 193 countries including India and came into effect on January 1, 2016. While MDGs covered the earlier l5-year period of 2000-2015 (with 1990 as baseline for indicators), SDGs cover the period from 2016 to 2030. The Sustainable Development Goals are an universal agreement to end poverty in all its dimensions and to evolve an equal, just and secure world – for people, for prosperity, and for the planet by 2030. SDGs have been developed through and unprecedented consultative process that brought national governments and millions of citizens from across the Globe together to negotiate and adopt the ambitious agenda. Institutional Arrangement at the National and State/UT levels At the Central Government level, NITI Aayog has been assigned the role of
A draft mapping of Goals and Targets in respect of the Central Ministries, various flagship initiatives of the government and the Centrally Sponsored Schemes (CSS) has been carried out by NITI Aayog, circulated to the Ministries and uploaded on NITI Aayog’s website (niti.gov.in) to facilitate better awareness and faster implementation of the SDGs and targets. NITI Aayog has also requested all the States/ UTs to carry out similar mapping of the SDGs and related targets through their respective Departments to faster implementation.
A National Consultation was held on 9th and 10th February, 2016 by NITI Aayog and Research and Information System for Developing Countries (RIS), with focus on SDGs 3 and 4 related to Health and Education respectively. During the Consultation, State Governments, Central Ministries, NGOs, academia, International Organizations, RIS and NITI Aayog had participated. A Seminar was held on 25th February 2016 in which Vice Chairman, NITI Aayog; DG,ADB and stakeholders ,had deliberated upon SDGs and implementation issues. A Round Table Conference on Sustainable Development Goals, Climate Change and Habitat III’ was jointly organised by NITI Aayog, Ministry of HUPA and Vijnana Bharati on 17th July, 2016 in NITI Aayog under the Chairmanship of Dr. V. K. Saraswat, Member, NITI Aayog in which various agencies and experts from different fields related to Habitat and climate change had participated.
A meeting was convened by NITI Aayog in Vigyan Bhawan on 27th July, 2016 with Chief Secretaries of all States and UTs, to achieve SDGs and targets. National Consultations were jointly organized by NITI Aayog, RIS and UN on Goals 6, 8 and 9 on 2nd, 3rd and 9th August 2016 respectively in India Habitat Centre in New Delhi.
NITI Aayog made a presentation on SDGs and implementation strategies at NITI Aayog on 29th August to Mr. Peter Thompson, President-Elect, UN General Assembly. A round table meet on climate change, SDGs and coastal habitats at Indian National Centre for Ocean Information Services (INCOIS) was jointly organized by NITI Aayog, MoHUPA, MoES and Vijnana Bharati in Hyderabad on 29th to 30th August, 2016.
A meeting to discuss India’s Voluntary National Reviews (VNRs) at the 2017 High Level Political Forum (HLPF) on Sustainable Development to be convened during 10-19 July, 2017 was held on 16th September, 2016 under the Chairmanship of Shri Alok Kumar, Additional Secretary, NITI Aayog.
A Task force under the Chairmanship of Additional Secretary, NITI Aayog has been constituted to prepare India’s Voluntary National Reviews (VNRs) at the 2017 High Level Political Forum (HLPF) on Sustainable Development to be convened from 10-19 July, 2017.
A Meeting was held on 26th Sept. 2016 under the Chairmanship of Dr. Arvind Panagariya, Vice Chairman, NITI Aayog to discuss preparations for holding an event on SDGs during visit of Secretary General, United Nations to India. (c) Quick Evaluation Study on Nai Roshni: Development Monitoring and Evaluation Office (DMEO) completed the Quick Evaluation Study on Nai Roshni (the Scheme for Leadership Development of Minority Women). The main objective of the study was to assess the impact of the scheme on Minority Women and to identify policy / programme impediments in implementation of the scheme. The study covered 15 districts, 27 NGOs, 30 blocks, 87 villages, 1335 beneficiary minority women and 445 non beneficiary women spread over 8 selected States (Assam, West Bengal, Punjab, Gujarat, Andhra Pradesh, Kerala, Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh) of the country. The reference period of the study was from the year 2012-13 to 2015-16 (up to 30thNovember, 2015). The copies of the report have been furnished to PMO and the implementing Ministry (Ministry of Minority Affairs). Moreover, a soft copy of the report has been placed on the NITI Aayog website. II. National Institute of Labour Economics Research and Development (NILERD): National Institute of Labour Economics Research and Development (NILERD), formerly Institute of Applied Manpower Research is an autonomous Institution under the NITI Aayog, Government of India. The primary objectives of the Institute are to focus on strategic and technical research on human resource planning and development, structure and changing patterns of the labour market, training, dissemination of best practices, monitoring and evaluation and such initiatives to further the national development agenda. The main activities of the institute during 2015-16 and 2016-17 so far are given below.
Research Studies: The research studies undertaken by the Institute during 2015-16 include: Studies on Determinants of Access to formal Credit by Micro, Small & Medium Enterprise Units of India; Study on Training Needs Assessment Survey for Major Ports; and Study on Impact Assessment of Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs) on Dissemination of Improved Practices and Technologies. During the year, new studies were initiated viz. Manpower Planning in Odisha, Human Capital Projections for Veterinary Sector and Study on Tribal Research Institutes, sponsored by the Government of Odisha, Veterinary Council of India and NITI Aayog respectively. During 2016-17, the Institute has commenced research studies on Assessment and Ranking of Krishi Vigyan Kendras and Evaluation Study and Restructuring of Central Waqf Council.
Education and Training: The Institute offers various International Programmes such as the Masters’ Degree in Human Resource Planning and Development in affiliation with Guru Gobind Singh Indraprastha University (GGSIP) (established by Government of NCT of Delhi); International Advanced Diploma in Human Resource Planning and Development; Diploma in Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E), besides International Training Programmes on Human Resource Planning and Development, Manpower Research, Manpower Information System, Global Human Resource Management, etc. Over the last one and half decade, more than 1000 participants, mainly civil service officers, planners, educators, and trainers, from more than 100 countries have benefitted from educational programmes of the Institute. The Institute has been maintaining its ‘A’ Grade, awarded since 2012 by GGSIP University, Delhi. These programmes are largely funded by the Ministry of External Affairs. Besides, in line with the mandate of NITI Aayog on cooperative federalism, the Institute has been conducting Specialized Training Programmes on Monitoring & Evaluation for the Officers of the Jammu & Kashmir Government.
Other initiatives during 2015-16:
The celebration of the International Year of Evaluation (EvalYear), 2015 was culminated by a special event – Community of Evaluators –South Asia (COE-SA) Conclave 2015 in November, 2015 in Kathmandu, Nepal where the Director General of the Institute was invited as a key note speaker to highlight the emerging development paradigm in India and use of evaluations in the context of policy formulation.
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