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.
- (a) 1, 2 and 5 only
- (b) 1, 3 and 4 only
- (c) 2 and 5 only ✓ UPSC's answer
- (d) 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5
Why the answer is (c)
• Under the Five-Year Plan system, the Planning Commission drafted plans, the National Development Council (2) — PM, Union Ministers, Chief Ministers — approved them, and Parliament (5) debated and adopted them and voted the funds.
• The Finance Commission (1) deals with tax devolution, not planning; the Rural (3) and Urban Development (4) Ministries implement schemes but are not planning bodies.
• Hence 2 and 5 only, option (c).
Why the other options are wrong
- (a) 1, 2 and 5 only
- The Finance Commission is not a planning body.
- (b) 1, 3 and 4 only
- The ministries implement, not plan; NDC and Parliament are the planning bodies.
- (d) 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5
- Finance Commission and the two ministries are not planning bodies.
Asked in the GS Paper I of the UPSC Civil Services Preliminary Examination 2014, held on 24 August 2014. Question and answer key: Union Public Service Commission. Explanation: UPSC Answer Check.