Assess the role of NITI Aayog over the past decade in promoting cooperative and competitive federalism.

NITI Aayog was established in 2015 replacing the Erstwhile Planning Commission for an Indicative Model of Planning for a rising India. Role of NITI Aayog in Cooperative Federalism promotion: 1) Governing Council Meet s of states, UTS, centre → as a common platform to address grievances. 2) State representation s in formulation of policies e.g: Daaft of Land Leasing Bill 3) Recommendations to improve federal structure. (NITI Aayog @ 75)

In promoting Competitive federalism: 1) Aspirational District Program APP → KPT based performance of district → National dashboard 2) SDG India's performance in state in actualizing SDGs (e.g.: SDG India 2024 → Uttarakhand, Kerala: 1st, Bihar, TH: last 3) Fiscal Health Index → measuring health of macroeconomic of state Overall Revenue deficit, Fiscal generation, deficit 4) Logistics Performance Index : assessing performance of logistics sector. But certain lacunae remain: 1) Government of state s TN skipped 10th GC meet → citing stoppage of Samyoga Siksha Fund by Center. 2) Non-binding decisions → advisory role 3) No power to mobilize finances → unlike Planning Commission 4) Political commentary by members of NITI Aayog in past Way ahead: Statutory status to NITI Aayog → Financial powers, Manpower and Research assistance ) Local level planning → assimilation of District Planning Commission (A-245-7) → Thus, NITI Aayog plays a crucial role in actualizing the vision of Team India

Economic cooperation s via decentralized planning from local level Multi-level Planning In promoting competitive federalism: 1) Aspirational District Program APP → KPT based performance of district → National dashboard 2) SDG India's performance of state in actualizing SDGs (e.g.: SDG India 2024 → Uttarakhand, Kerala: 1st, Bihar, TH: last 3) Fiscal Health Index → measuring health of macroeconomic of state Overall Revenue deficit, Fiscal generation, deficit 4) Logistics Performance Index : assessing performance of logistics sector.

But certain lacunae remain: 1) Government of state s TN skipped 10th GC meet → citing stoppage of Samyoga Shiksha Fund by Centre. 2) Non-binding decisions → advisory role 3) No power to mobilise finances → unlike Planning Commission 4) Political commentary by members of NITI Aayog in past Way ahead: Statutory status to NITI Aayog → Financial powers, Manpower and Research assistance ) Local level planning → assimilation of District Planning Commission (A-245-7) → Thus, NITI Aayog plays a crucial role in actualizing the vision of Team India

— MADHVENDRA PRATAP SINGH · AIR 153