The National Development Council (NDC)
The National Development Council (NDC) or the Rashtriya Vikas Parishad is the apex body for decision making and deliberations on development matters in India, presided over by the Prime Minister.
It (NDC) was set up on 6 August, 1952 by an executive order of the government with the following three objectives:
a) to strengthen and mobilise the effort and resources of the nation in support of the national development plans;
b) to promote common economic policies in all vital spheres, and
c) to ensure the balanced and rapid development of all parts of the country.
NDC comprise of the Prime Minister, all Union Cabinet Ministers, Chief Ministers of all States and Union Territories and the Members of Niti Ayog. Delhi Administration is represented in the Council by the Lt. Governor and the Chief Executive Councillor, and the remaining Union Territories by their respective Administrators. Other Union Ministers and State Ministers may also be invited to participate in the deliberations of the council.
It is an extra-constitutional and non-statutory body. NDC is the listed as an advisory body to Planning Commission/Niti Ayog but it’s advice is not binding.
The functions of the NDC are:
a) to review the working of the National Plan from time to time;
b) to consider important questions of social and economic policy affecting national development;
c) to recommend measures for the achievement of the aims and targets set out in the National Plan.
The first meeting of the NDC was held on 8-9 November 1952 under Pandit Jawahar Lal Nehru, Prime Minister of India.
Setting up of the NDC may be regarded as one of the most significant steps taken for promoting understanding and consultation between the Union and the State Governments on planning and common economic policies.
