It is common knowledge that Modi has done away with the 65 year old ‘Planning Commission’ and replaced it with the ‘NITI Aayog’ or National Institute for Transforming India’.
While Modi will be the President of the new body, he has appointed Arvind Panagariya, a Professor of Economics at Columbia University, USA as the Vice-President.
Interestingly, out of the two full-time Members he has appointed to the body, one of them, Bibek Debroy had recently written a blog on the new ‘Planning Body’ raising several issues which he felt were counterproductive to the setting up of ‘NITI Aayog’.
Normally, such criticism is looked upon with a frown by the ruling party. But Modi has taken the criticism in his stride and appointed Bibek Debroy for the latter’s intellect and credentials.
Also, Bibek will be able to plug the loopholes that he has detected in the set-up of the new body. By choosing not to take Bibek’s criticism personally, Modi has put development ahead of everything else. A positive sign indeed!
