Q. Which of the following bodies does not/do not find mention in the Constitution?

National Development Council
Planning Commission
Zonal Councils

Select the correct answer using the codes given below

1 and 2 only
2 only
1 and 3 only
1, 2 and 3 only

Answer: (d) 1, 2 and 3 only

Notes:

The Constitution of India does not mention the National Development Council, Planning Commission or Zonal Councils. These are all bodies that were created by the government through acts of Parliament or executive orders.

Constitutional Bodies

Election Commission of India
State Election Commission’s Autonomy
Need to set up State Finance Commission
Constitutional Status for National Commission for Backward Classes
National Commission for Scheduled Tribes (NCST)
Comptroller and Auditor-General of India (CAG)
Attorney General of India
Tribunals
Supreme Court of India

Non-Constitutional Bodies

Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR)
National Investigation Agency
Food Corporation of India (FCI)
Competition Commission of India
Law Commission of India
Central Vigilance Commission (CVC)
Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI)
National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD)
National Human Rights Commission (NHRC)
State Human Right Commission
Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO)
Lokpal and Lokayukta
Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO)
NITI Aayog (National Institution for Transforming India)
National Development Council
Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI)
National Green Tribunal (NGT)
Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI)
Central Vigilance Commission
Reserve Bank of India
Financial Stability and Development Council
Lokpal and Lokayuktas
Central Information Commission
State Information Commission

Zonal Councils

Background:
- The idea of creation of Zonal Councils was mooted by the first PM Nehru in 1956.
- This was suggested during the course of debate on the report of the States Re-organisation Commission
- It was suggested that a high-level advisory forum should be set up:
  - to minimise the impact of linguistic hostilities prevailed at that time;
  - to create healthy inter-State and Centre-State environment.
Zonal Council:
- In the light of the idea promoted by the then PM Nehru, five Zonal Councils were set up under the States Re-organisation Act, 1956.
  - Zonal Councils are the statutory and not the constitutional bodies.
- The five councils are:
  - The Northern Zonal Council; The Central Zonal Council; The Eastern Zonal Council; The Western Zonal Council; The Southern Zonal Council.
- The North Eastern States are not included in the Zonal Councils.
  - Their special problems are looked after by the North Eastern Council, set up under the North Eastern Council Act, 1972.
The main objectives of setting up of Zonal Councils are as under:
- Bringing out national integration;
- Arresting the growth of acute State consciousness, regionalism, linguistic and particularistic tendencies;
- Enabling the Centre and the States to co-operate and exchange ideas and experiences;
- Establishing a climate of co-operation amongst the States for successful and speedy execution of development projects.
Organisational structure
- Chairman
  - The Union Home Minister is the Chairman of each of these Councils.
- Vice Chairman
  - The Chief Ministers of the States included in each zone act as Vice-Chairman of the Zonal Council for that zone by rotation, each holding office for a period of one year at a time.
- Members
  - Chief Minister and two other Ministers as nominated by the Governor from each of the States and two members from Union Territories included in the zone.
- Advisers
  - One person nominated by the Planning Commission (now NITI Aayog) for each of the Zonal Councils,
  - Chief Secretaries and another officer/Development Commissioner nominated by each of the States included in the Zone
- Union Ministers are also invited to participate in the meetings of Zonal Councils depending upon necessity.
Functions:
- Each Zonal Council is an advisory body and may discuss any matter in which some or all of the States represented in that Council have a common interest.
- It may advise the Central Government and the Government of each State concerned upon the action to be taken on any such matter.
- In particular, a Zonal Council may discuss, and make recommendations with regard to:
  - any matter of common interest in the field of economic and social planning;
  - any matter concerning border disputes, linguistic minorities or inter-State transport;
  - any matter connected with or arising out of, the re-organization of the States under the States Reorganisation Act.

National Development Council

The National Development Council (NDC) or Rashtriya Vikas Parishad functions as the highest authority for decision-making and discussions concerning development matters in India, chaired by the Prime Minister.
It was established on August 6, 1952, with the aim of consolidating and mobilizing the nation’s efforts and resources to support the Five Year Plans outlined by the Planning Commission.
Its objectives include promoting consistent economic policies across key areas and ensuring balanced and swift development in all regions of the country.
The Council consists of the Prime Minister, Union Cabinet Ministers, Chief Ministers of all States or their representatives, Union Territory representatives, and members of the NITI Aayog (formerly known as the Planning Commission).
Objectives:
- To create a nation free of exploitation and poverty
- To achieve equality, decent governance, rights, and a welcoming environment.
- To reduce violence against women while advocating for human rights, fair governance, and gender equality.
- To strengthen civil society, CBO, and UP capacities in local-level planning and management.
- Providing standard and extensive quality services wins organizational sustainability.
- To ensure state collaboration in carrying out the Plan.
- To strengthen and mobilize the nation’s efforts and resources to support the Plan.
- To support unified economic policies in all domains of government.
- To ensure the balanced and speedy growth of the entire country.
- To provide underprivileged and troubled women with advocacy and legal assistance.
Function And Mandates:
- To define criteria for forming the National Plan, including the appraisal of Plan resources.
- Consider major social and economic policy issues affecting country growth.
- To conduct periodic reviews of the Plan’s operation and recommend steps necessary to achieve the purposes and targets outlined in the National Plan.
- To consider important issues of social and economic policy affecting national development.
- To improve the efficiency of administrative services and ensure the fullest development of less developed regions and sectors.
New Role of NDC:
- NITI Aayog was established in 2015 to replace the Planning Commission. The NDC has been given a new role in the form of the Governing Council of the NITI Aayog.
- The NDC now serves as a platform for cooperative federalism in India. It brings together the PM, CMs of all states and UTs, and other senior officials to discuss and coordinate national development priorities.
- Its key functions include:
  - identifying key policy priorities and goals,
  - reviewing and monitoring the progress of ongoing schemes and programs, and
  - Providing guidance and recommendations on policy and development-related issues.
- The NDC also plays a critical role in ensuring key government schemes and initiatives are effectively implemented.
- The new role of the NDC is seen as a step towards strengthening the federal structure of the country.
  - It promotes greater collaboration between the central and state governments.
  - It also ensures a more inclusive and participatory approach to national development.