Niti Aayog's three year action plan to start from 2017-18: Arvind Panagariya

Guwahti: Vice Chairman of Niti Aayog, Dr Arvind Panagariya on Tuesday said that the three year action plan of the Aayog will kick start from 2017-18 fiscal year.

Panagariya who was in Guwahati to attend while speaking in a programme said that Niti Aayog is different from planning commission. “The Aayog is mandated to prepare 15 year board road map which encompasses as what needs to be done for the economy followed by a 7 year long strategy document.”

He added, that the Aayog is working to bring policy reforms especially in the areas of agriculture, education and healthcare. “We have done police reforms like land leasing. In agriculture marketing sector we are working. Farmers get little for their produce whereas intermediaries take away the loin share.”

The vice chairman who was on his maiden visit to Northeast India said that Aayog is presently working on coastal employment zones. “One area where we are working is the issues of state are championed by us and taken up with different ministries for speedy action.”

Panagariya added that Aayog is working on strategic disinvestment and privatisation. “Aayog is also expected to function as the think of the government. In last two years I am satisfied with the work we done in realm of policies and reforms and our role in the field of think tank is evolving. We are organising lecture series and next lecture will delivered by Bill Gates.”

Panagariya candidly stated that he is not an expert on Assam and Northeast India and said that pace of urbanisation has been abysmally slow in Assam.

“According to the 20111-12 figures, 56 percent of workforce of Assam is engaged in Assam, 6. 5 percent in industry and 37.5 percent in services.”

He added that this has to change and more workforce has to gradually move to industry with gradual industrialisation. “In 1980s in Assam share of agriculture in GSDP stood at 43 to 44 percent however now it has come down to 22 percent.”

He added that with aspirational youth in the country and reforms which this government has initiated, India could be an $8-trillion economy within next 15 years.

Disclaimer: This information has been collected through secondary research and IBEF is not responsible for any errors in the same.