NITI plans to ready 15-Year Vision by December

New Delhi: Government think tank Niti Aayog plans to complete the preparation of the 15-Year Vision document by December as it wants the next general budget to be guided by the long-term development strategy.

"We have planned to complete work on the 15-Year Vision document by December before general budget. This is the terminal year of 12th Five Year Plan (2012-17). Therefore, the next budget must be guided by this document," an official privy to the development said.

The official further said, "Besides the vision, Aayog would be ready with seven-year strategy and three-year action plan on the basis of which funds allocations will be made in the budget."

The Aayog has been entrusted to prepare a 15-Year Vision document beginning 2017-18, which will replace Nehruvian Five- Year planning system followed for over six decades.

The official also confirmed that the NITI Aayog's Governing Council meeting, which was scheduled on July 30, 2016, is likely to be convened after the Independence Day (August 15) in view of ongoing Parliament session and recently held meeting of inter-state council.

However, the Aayog has convened a meeting of all chief secretaries and planning secretaries of the states to discuss the vision, strategy and action plan documents with them.

During the meeting, the states were asked to adopt outcome based target and monitoring of infrastructure projects as being done by the central government.

The NITI Aayog recently gave a detailed presentation to the Prime Minister on outcome based targets and monitoring of infrastructure projects.

The official said that the states are required to be roped in because they would also work on the their 15-Year Vision which will eventually help the Centre to prepare its roadmap for development in the country.

The Aayog is determined to present an approach paper on 15 year vision document in the next meeting of Governing Council headed by the Prime Minister with all chief ministers on its board.