Bring more experts to government, says Niti Aayog

Think-tank Niti Aayog has batted for inclusion of more experts in the government and placing the long-term vision and strategy documents in the public domain for extensive discussion.

The measures are part of the premier policy-making body's presentation to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who chaired a meeting of the Aayog on Thursday, to give a concrete shape to the 15-year vision document to quicken all-round development of the country, a senior official told PTI.

In the presentation made by NITI Aayog Vice-Chairman Arvind Panagariya on this critical aspect of planning in the country, the Aayog said: "It is very important to induct more and more experts from different fields in the government."

He added: "Increased complexity of the economy has meant that as a general rule, it is no longer possible for generalists to learn any subject within a matter of weeks or even months."

He suggested that only proper analysis and assessment of proposed policies by experts and specialists can help us anticipate "unintended consequences" of these policies.

"This is why preparing the long-term vision and strategy documents and placing them in the public domain for extensive discussion is extremely important," the Aayog recommended.

The policy research arm of the government also underscored the importance of giving "adequate hearing" to "internal criticisms" of proposed policies.

"Without this, there would be no incentive for critics to offer constructive criticisms, which can play a crucial role in formulating sound and relevant polices," it added.

Modi, the Chairman of NITI Aayog, also took stock of the economy and progress of various government programmes that are monitored by the official think-tank.

The meeting was attended by Panagariya and other members.

The body has been mandated to come up with a 15-year vision document for a period up to 2030, which will be co-terminus with sustainable development goals.

The NITI Aayog is also working on a 7-year strategy starting from 2017-18 to 2023-24 to convert a vision document into implementable policy and action as part of the National Development Agenda.

It will also prepare a 3-year action plan for 2017-18 to 2019-20 as part of the agenda, which will be aligned with the 14th Finance Commission award period.

The action plan is important because 2016-17 is the terminal year of the 12th Five-Year Plan.