PM Modi to review NITI Aayog's vision document on July 28

Over the next two days, the NITI Aayog will hold extensive discussion with various state governments culminating in Prime Minister (PM) Narendra Modi taking stock of its much-awaited 15-year vision document and strategic paper on Thursday.

Modi, who will be visiting the Aayog for the second time on Thursday in two years, will also share his views on the development strategy with the government's think tank.

The PM will chair a meeting of the Aayog on the vision document, where the Aayog will make a presentation to him on the progress so far. Modi is the chairperson of NITI Aayog.  The PM is expected to review the working of the Aayog, which was formed with much fanfare following the scrapping of the Planning Commission.

The premier policy-making body has been entrusted to prepare a 15-year vision document beginning 2017-18, which will replace the Nehruvian five-year planning system followed for over six decades.

Before the PM’s meet, the Aayog will hold consultations with the chief secretaries of states on the vision, strategy and action plan documents, said an official.

States are required to be roped in because they would also work on their 15-year vision, which will eventually help the Centre prepare its roadmap for development in the country, the official added.

Apart from focusing on sectors such as infrastructure, commerce, education and health, the vision document will cover internal security and defence, which were not part of the earlier five-year plans. The vision document is expected to be finalised by the year-end.

An official privy to the development said: “The plan is to complete the work on the vision document by December before the general Budget. This is the terminal year of the 12th Five Year Plan (2012-17). The feeling is that the next Budget must be guided by this document.”

The Aayog will also prepare three-year and seven-year action plans on the basis of which funds allocations will be made in the Budget.