UPSC Prelims 2014 Question:

Which of the following are associated with ‘Planning’ in India?

1. The Finance Commission 
2. The National Development Council 
3. The Union Ministry of Rural Development 
4. The Union Ministry of Urban Development 
5. The Parliament
   
   

Select the correct answer using the code given below:

Explanation: 

• Article 280 provides for a Finance Commission as a quasi-judicial body. It is constituted by the President every fifth year or even earlier. It is required to make recommendations to the President on the distribution of the net proceeds of taxes to be shared between the Centre and the states, and the allocation between the states, the respective shares of such proceeds. It is not related to the planning in India. So, point 1 is not correct.
  
• National Development Council was set up in the year 1952. It is an apex body for decision-making and deliberations on development matters, presided over by the Prime Minister of India and comprising of Union Ministers, Chief Ministers of all the States and UTs, Administrators of Union Territories, and Members of the Planning Commission. However, in 2014, its abolishment has been announced. So, point 2 is correct.
  
  
• The Ministry of Rural Development is entrusted with the task of accelerating the socio-economic development of rural India. Its focus is on special rural grants for health and education, piped-filtered drinking water programs, public and affordable housing programs, public work programs, and grants for rural roads and infrastructure. So, point 3 is not correct. 
• The Union Ministry of Urban Development is also mandated to implement schemes and plans for urban development. So, point 4 is not correct. 
• Under the Constitution of India, the Parliament of India consists of three parts viz, the President, the Council of States, and the House of the People. Parliament is the supreme legislative body of India. Its basic role involves making laws, and bills, which ultimately get included in planning. So, point 5 is correct.
  
  

Therefore, option (3) is the correct answer. 

Subject: Polity | Miscellaneous(pol)