Non-Constitutional Bodies

NITI Aayog

The Government has replaced Planning Commission with a new institution named NITI Aayog (National Institution for Transforming India). It is created by a cabinet Resolution issued on January 1, 2015. The institutional framework of government has developed and matured over the years. This has allowed the development of domain expertise which allows to increase the specificity of functions given to institutions. Specific to the planning process, there was a need to separate as well as energize the distinct ‘processes of governance from the ‘strategy’ of governance. The Seven Pillars of Effective Governance include-

• Pro-people: It will fulfill aspirations of society as well as individuals
• Pro-Activity: In anticipation of and response to citizen needs
• Participation: Involvement of citizenry
• Empowering: Women in all aspects
• Inclusion of all: SC, ST, OBC, minorities, gareeb, gaon, kisaan
• Equality: Of opportunity for the youth
• Transparency: Making Government visible and responsive

The institution to give life to these aspirations is the NITI Aayog (National Institution for Transforming India). This is being proposed after extensive consultation across the spectrum of stakeholders including inter alia state governments, domain experts and relevant institutions.

Composition of the NITI Aayog

• Prime Minister of India as the Chairperson
• Governing Council comprising the Chief Ministers of all the States and Lt. Governors of Union Territories
• Regional Councils will be formed to address specific issues and contingencies impacting more than one state or a region. These will be formed for a specified tenure. The Regional Councils will be convened by the Prime Minister and will comprise of the Chief Ministers of States and Lt. Governors of Union Territories in the region. These will be chaired by the Chairperson of the NITI Aayog or his nominee.
• Experts, specialists and practitioners with relevant domain knowledge as special invitees nominated by the Prime Minister

National Commission for Women (NCW)

• The National Commission for Women was set up as statutory body in January 1992 under the National Commission for Women Act, 1990 to review the Constitutional and legal safeguards for women; recommend remedial legislative measures, facilitate redressal of grievances and advise the Government on all policy matters affecting women.
• The NCW holds public hearings on issues affecting large sections of women such as crime against women, women in unorganised labour sector, women in agriculture and women of minority groups.
• The First Commission was constituted on 31st January 1992 with Mrs. Jayanti Patnaik as the Chairperson.

National Human Rights Commission (NHRC)

• The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) of India is an autonomous public body constituted on 12 October 1993 under the Protection of Human Rights Ordinance of 28 September 1993.
• It was given a statutory basis by the Protection of Human Rights Act, 1993 (TPHRA).
• The NHRC is the national human rights institution, responsible for the protection and promotion of human rights, defined by the Act as “rights relating to life, liberty, equality and dignity of the individual guaranteed by the Constitution or embodied in the International Covenants”.

Central Vigilance Commission

• The Central Vigilance Commission was set up in 1964 on the recommendation of Santhanam Committee.
• Justice Nottoor Srinivasa Rau became the first Central Vigilance Commissioner with effect from 19th February, 1964.
• The Supreme Court of India, in Vineet Narain and others Vs. Union of India and others popularly known as Jain Hawala case, had directed on 18.12.1997 that statutory status should be conferred upon the Central Vigilance Commission. It came on the statute book as the Central Vigilance Commission Act, 2003.
• The Central Vigilance Commission Act, 2003 provides for constitution of Central Vigilance.
• Commission to inquire or to cause inquiries to be conducted into offences alleged to have been committed under the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988 by certain categories of public servants.
• The Act also empowers the Commission to exercise superintendence over the functioning of the Delhi Special Police Establishment (DSPE) now called Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI).

Central Information Commission/State Information Commission

• The Central Information Commission (CIC) set up under the Right to Information Act which the authorized body, established in 2005, under the Government of India.
• The Commission has certain powers and functions mentioned in sections 18, 19, 20 and 25 of the RTI Act, 2005. These broadly relate to adjudication in second appeal for giving information; direction for record keeping, suomotu disclosures receiving and enquiring into a complaint on inability to file RTI etc.; imposition of penalties and Monitoring and Reporting including preparation of an Annual Report. The decisions of the Commission are final and binding.
• CIC is appointed for a term of 5 years from date on which he enters upon his office or till he attains the age of 65 years, whichever is earlier. CIC is not eligible for reappointment.
• The State Information Commission is constituted by the State Government through a Gazette notification. A SIC has one State Chief Information Commissioner (SCIC) and not more than 10 State Information Commissioners (SIC) to be appointed by the Governor.