Wednesday, September 14, 2011

[HumJanenge] National Advisory Council (NAC) of India: What it is and what it should be?

National Advisory Council (NAC) of India: What it is and what it should be?
The National Advisory Council (NAC) of India is an advisory body set up to monitor the implementation of the UPA government's manifesto, the Common Minimum Programme(CMP). It is also informally called as UPA's Planning Commission for social agenda. It is a brainchild of Congress party president, Sonia Gandhi who is also it's chairperson  and hence holds the status of a cabinet minister. The members of this council are nominated by PM in consultation with the NAC chairperson. The funds for the functioning of this council are provided from the budgetary allocation for the Prime Minister's Office. The NAC has often been criticized by opposition parties and scholars as not in keeping with India's constitution, and that it is actually an alternative, unelected cabinet. 
Thus, in its present form, it is an advisory council that seeks to involve citizen groups in the planning and monitoring of govt schemes at govt cost. Since the ruling party head is NAC head and all NAC members are selected and appointed by PM and NAC head, NAC actually only tries to reinforce govt views in the garb of citizen views.
In my opinion, the idea to have NAC as an advisory body for planning and monitoring of govt schemes (including laws) is very good. But it's constitution needs to be changed so as not to have political party heads and their chosen members but to have well known social workers like Anna and others as it's head and other members and to let them give their free, frank and unbiased suggestions on the various laws that the govt may have framed or may be contemplating to frame and on the desirable planning and monitoring of projects. The NAC could naturally hold seminars etc, get research studies carried our as necessary and hold referendum, as necessary before firming its views in any matter which should then emerge as the real citizen's views in any matter.
Reader views are invited on this subject.
This could form the basis for citizen participation in governmental activities.

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