Multi Level Planning In India
The federal nature of India’s Constitution demands planning at least at two levels i.e. Union and States (economic and social planning being in the Concurrent list). However, in view of mixed economy resulting from a pluralistic socio-economic environment and the large size of some states, planning in India has to be viewed in terms of activities at different area and agency levels extending well beyond union and state framework.
National Level Planning
In each state, there is a planning department, which is responsible for the preparation of the Five Year Plans, Annual plans, monitoring of the plans and generally the evaluation of programmes through its evaluation wing. Essentially the Planning Department is responsible for coordinating the development effort in the state.
The Evaluation Department as the name suggests, is entrusted with task of conducting evaluation studies of the various programmes being undertaken on concurrent or ex post facto basis. Such studies provide feedback to the government for enabling corrective action to be taken in regard to plan scheme
District Level Planning
Requirement of district planning arises from the need to supplement the national and state plans with a more detailed examination of potentials at the mid-unit of administration i.e. the district. Such planning would help in investment decisions geared to the needs of each district. District planning, therefore, would involve striking a balance amongst specific needs of the people of the district, growth potentials of the area and budgetary allocation available.
The organizational framework at the district level should offer an integration of the political, district, administrative and local institutions for determining the programme of development for the district and the manner in which it can be implemented. Besides, its aim should be to bring all administrative operations at the district level under effective coordination and control of single agency and clearly lay down a programme of work for the participating agencies (Panchayti Raj Institutions).
At the district level most of the heads of departments are represented by officials termed as District level Officers. For example, there are Executive Engineers for PWD, Irrigation, Public Health, and Engineering Department etc. These officials are part of the planning process at district level. In the context of major poverty alleviation programmes, viz., IRDP, NREP & RLEGP, in 1980 the District Rural Development Agencies were set up to plan, implement and monitor such programmes
Block Level Planning
The community development block is one of the levels at which the task of planning is undertaken in the country. In fact, it is the lowest administrative level at which such an exercise is undertaken in India. Block planning essentially means planning for the development of block within a specified time frame. Whereas for a national plan the needs of various sectors will be taken into account at a micro level, block planning essentially goes through the planning exercise at the local level. Needless to say, even small changes in living conditions, as a result of the plan, are readily visible at such a level. This encourages popular participation. Such public participation makes the block planning exercise more broad based and therefore, very vit
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