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Despite the passing of 70 years of independence, still the State mechanism to plan the development programmes continues to be in infant stage. In 2014, the creation of NDA government, NITI Aayog, was projected as the apt mechanism, replacing the Planning Commission. The Prime Minister’s Economic Advisory Council was abolished as if no advisory requirement was needed for Prime Minister. After the calamity of DeMon (2016), as its after effect, the offices of NITI Aayog situated in EIGHT prominent cities of the country were closed down without citing the reasons. NITI Aayog has transformed itself to the level of functioning as the mouth piece’ of the political rulers who are reluctant to express the views directly to the country. The members of NITI Aayog, instead of limiting themselves to the role of advising the policy makers, are usurping the role of elected rulers and pronouncing policies like making political statements to the country. Recently the Vice Chairman of NITI Aayog has stated the reservation system in employment would not be extended to private sector. This announcement against the social justice which constitutes the basic structure of Indian constitution is not constitutional. How can an appointee in NITI Aayog assume the role of elected representatives which they themselves cannot do and make pronouncements against constitutional provisions? Are they not aware of the Constitutional provisions facilitating reservation in private educational institutions for historically discriminated and persecuted sections of the society? The basic tenor of reservation policy is representation of neglected sections in the governance of the country. When India attained independence many educational institutions and employment opportunities were vested within the authority of government. Private people gradually started educational institutions and proliferated them which enabled the government to make reservation to be implemented in private educational institutions. Due to globalization and liberalization being taken advantage of by the rulers, the private sector gained momentum. The scope for employment in the public sector, including the government, has dwindled. The alternative move of the rulers has to be the introduction of reservation policy of employment in private sector. The probable and positive move of progressive rulers must be in that line. Reservation is not anathema to private sector. In USA, where the major chunk of employment opportunities are vested in private sector, reservation is in practice as affirmative action. Without understanding the letter and spirit of Indian Constitution, the rulers who abide to act by constitutional provisions cannot decide against reservation. But the appointee in an advisory body like NITI Aayog is making statements as policy pronouncements. Is it happening with the knowledge of the Ministry concerned and the Prime Minister? If so the rulers are also responsible for the violation Constitution. Let the official know their boundaries.
Very recently another member of NITI Aayog has announced that the subject ‘Agriculture’ placed under the State List must be brought to Union List. Are the officials ruling the country? Or else, is NDA government strategically speaking through the officials? Anyhow the practice is not healthy to the governance of the country. The rulers at the Centre must immediately put an end to such policy pronouncements by officials. It will be a perilous for any elected government to permit itself to be run by officials.
