National Advisory Council
Encyclopedia
The National Advisory Council (NAC) of India
is an advisory body set up to monitor the implementation of the UPA
government's manifesto, the Common Minimum Programme
(CMP). It is a brainchild of Congress party president, Sonia Gandhi
. It is also informally called as UPA's Planning Commission for social agenda. NAC is also called as Shadow Cabinet. On 23 March 2006, Sonia Gandhi had resigned from the post of chairmanship of the NAC after Office of profit controversy. On 29 March 2010, she was back as the chairperson of NAC.
, during UPA-I, to implement the National Common Minimum Programme, or CMP.
The NAC secretariat has Rita Sharma as its Secretary.
The RTE act neglected the constitutional rights of tribal councils in north east India, which are the bodies having controlling powers over Elementary Education in their respective areas.
, and that it would emerge as an alternative, cabinet.
. However there's an alternative view which states that the NAC could deepen democracy by facilitating greater prelegislative/pre-policy consultation
India
India , officially the Republic of India , is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by geographical area, the second-most populous country with over 1.2 billion people, and the most populous democracy in the world...
is an advisory body set up to monitor the implementation of the UPA
United Progressive Alliance
The United Progressive Alliance is a ruling coalition of center-left political parties heading the government of India. The coalition is led by the Indian National Congress , which is currently the single largest political party in the Lok Sabha...
government's manifesto, the Common Minimum Programme
Common minimum programme
The Common Minimum Programme is a document outlining the minimum objectives of a coalition government in India. The document has acquired prominence since coalition governments have become the norm in India.-References:...
(CMP). It is a brainchild of Congress party president, Sonia Gandhi
Sonia Gandhi
Sonia Gandhi is an Italian-born Indian politician and the President of the Indian National Congress, one of the major political parties of India. She is the widow of former Prime Minister of India, Rajiv Gandhi...
. It is also informally called as UPA's Planning Commission for social agenda. NAC is also called as Shadow Cabinet. On 23 March 2006, Sonia Gandhi had resigned from the post of chairmanship of the NAC after Office of profit controversy. On 29 March 2010, she was back as the chairperson of NAC.
History
NAC was set up on 4 June 2004 by Prime Minister Manmohan SinghManmohan Singh
Manmohan Singh is the 13th and current Prime Minister of India. He is the only Prime Minister since Jawaharlal Nehru to return to power after completing a full five-year term. A Sikh, he is the first non-Hindu to occupy the office. Singh is also the 7th Prime Minister belonging to the Indian...
, during UPA-I, to implement the National Common Minimum Programme, or CMP.
Organization (2010 - present)
The NAC - II is a mix of activists, retired bureaucrats, economists, politicians and an industrialist.- Sonia Gandhi - Chairman
- Prof. M.S. Swaminathan - Agricultural scientist and MP
- Dr. Ram Dayal Munda - MP
- Aruna RoyAruna RoyAruna Roy is an Indian political and social activist who founded and heads the Mazdoor Kisan Shakti Sangathana . She is best known as a prominent leader of the Right to Information movement, which led to the enactment of the Right to Information Act in 2005...
- Retired bureaucrat - Jean DrezeJean DrèzeJean Drèze is a development economist who has been influential in Indian economic policymaking. He is a naturalized Indian of Belgian origin. His work in India include issues like hunger, famine, gender inequality, child health and education, and the NREGA...
- Development economist - Narendra JadhavNarendra JadhavNarendra Jadhav is an Indian bureaucrat. He is presently a member of Planning Commission of India.-Career:Dr. Narendra Jadhav, an Indian national is a leading educationist, eminent economist & policy maker, well-known social scientist and best-selling author. Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh has...
- former bureaucrat & Member, Planning Commission - Harsh ManderHarsh ManderHarsh Mander is an Indian social activist and writer. He came into prominence after 2002 Gujarat riots and heads "Aman Biradari" which work for communal harmony. He became member of National Advisory Council of the UPA government in 2010 and special commissioner to the Supreme Court...
- Retired Bureaucrat - Prof. Pramod TandonPramod TandonProf. Pramod Tandon Prof. Pramod Tandon Prof. Pramod Tandon (born 6 October 1950 is an Indian academic and the former vice-chancellor of North Eastern Hill University. He is an eminent professor of botany. He received Padma Shri award in 2009 in the field of Science and Engineering...
- Vice Chancellor, North Eastern Hill UniversityNorth Eastern Hill UniversityNorth Eastern Hill University is a Central University established on 19 July 1973 by an Act of Indian Parliament. The University is located in the suburb of Shillong, the state capital of Meghalaya within the union of India... - Deep JoshiDeep JoshiDeep Joshi is an Indian social worker and NGO activist and the recipient of 2009 Magsaysay award. He is recognized for his leadership in bringing professionalism to the NGO movement in India. He co-founded a non-profit organisation, Professional Assistance for Development Action of which he was...
- Social activist - Madhav GadgilMadhav GadgilMadhav Gadgil is an Indian ecologist.-Biography:He was born in Maharashtra studied biology at University of Poona and University of Bombay before doing a Ph.D. thesis in the area of mathematical ecology at Harvard University...
- Ecologist - Farah NaqviFarah NaqviFarah Naqvi is an Indian writer, consultant and activist. She works on gender rights and minority rights from both a justice and development perspective. She is a member of the National Advisory Council.- Works :...
- Social activist - Dr. N. C. SaxenaDr. N. C. SaxenaDr. N. C. Saxena is an Indian bureaucrat who served as a member of Planning Commission of India.-Career:Dr. N. C. Saxena is a former IAS officer...
- former bureaucrat - Anu AgaAnu AgaAnu Aga is an Indian businesswoman and social worker, who led Thermax Ltd., the Rs 3246-crore energy and environment engineering major, as its chairperson 1996-2004...
- Businesswoman - A. K. Shiva Kumar - Economist
- Mirai ChatterjeeMirai ChatterjeeMirai Chatterjee is an Indian social worker and coordinator at SEWA, Ahmedabad. She was appointed a member of National Advisory Council in June, 2010....
- Coordinator, SEWA, Ahmedabad
The NAC secretariat has Rita Sharma as its Secretary.
Focus areas
- Natural resource management, including revitalisation of agriculture,
- Development of Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes
- Welfare of minorities
- Poverty elimination and employment generation
- Land rights and land reforms
- Right to education, disadvantaged children
- Health security and medical insurance
- Social security and safety net for the disadvantaged groups
- Urban poverty
- Development of the northeast
- Special Component plan for Scheduled Castes and the tribal sub-plan for Scheduled Tribes.
NAC - I (2004 - 2006)
- Sonia Gandhi - Chairman UPA and Congress party president
- M.S. Swaminathan - Agricultural scientist
- Aruna Roy - Social activist
- Jean Dreze - Development economist
- C.H. Hanumantha RaoC.H. Hanumantha RaoC. H. Hanumantha Rao is an Indian economist and writer. He was member of National Advisory Council from 2004 - 2008.-Early life:C. H. Hanumantha Rao was born in Karimnagar, Andhra Pradesh....
- Economist - Madhav ChavanMadhav ChavanMadhav Chavan is an Indian social activist and educationist. He is the co-founder and CEO of the educational non-profit, Pratham. He also started the Read India campaign, which aims to teach basic reading, writing and arithmetic to underprivileged children across India.-Early life:Madhav Chavan...
- Educator, founder PrathamPrathamPratham is a non-governmental organisation that works towards the provision of quality education to the underprivileged children in India. Established in Mumbai in 1994 to provide pre-school education to children in slums, it now has activities in 21 states of India and has supporting chapters in... - Sehba HussainSehba HussainSehba Hussain is an Indian social activist. She is the co-founder and honorary treasurer of Self-Employed Women's Association in Lucknow...
- Founder, Self-Employed Women's Association (SEWA) - A. K. Shiva Kumar - Economist
- Jairam RameshJairam RameshJairam Ramesh born April 9, 1954, is an Indian economist and an influential politician of the Congress Party in the United Progressive Alliance ruling coalition of center-left political parties heading the Government of India. He is a Member of Parliament representing Andhra Pradesh state in the...
- Politician - Jayaprakash Narayan (Lok Satta)Jayaprakash Narayan (Lok Satta)Dr. Jayaprakash Narayan , widely known as JP, is a noted Indian politician, social reformer, TV commentator and columnist. He is the President of Lok Satta Party and currently a Member of the Legislative Assembly from Kukatpally constituency in Andhra Pradesh.http://www.loksatta.org/cms/index.php?...
- Politician and former bureaucrat - V. KrishnamurthyV. Krishnamurthy-Career:V. Krishnamurthy worked as a Chairman of the National Manufacturing Competitiveness Council during 2005 - 2007.He was a member of National Advisory Council during its first tenure.Member, PM’s Council on Trade & Industry ....
- Dr. N. C. Saxena - former bureaucrat
- Mrinal MiriMrinal MiriMrinal Miri is an Indian philosopher and educationalist.-Early life:He was awarded a BA in Philosophy from the University of Cambridge in 1966 and gained his doctorate in 1970.-Career:...
- Educator
Achievements
- NREGA
- Right to Information ActRight to Information ActThe Right to Information Act 2005 is an Act of the Parliament of India "to provide for setting out the practical regime of right to information for citizens." The Act applies to all States and Union Territories of India except the State of Jammu and Kashmir. Jammu and Kashmir has its own act...
The RTE act neglected the constitutional rights of tribal councils in north east India, which are the bodies having controlling powers over Elementary Education in their respective areas.
Criticisms
The NAC has been criticized by opposition parties and scholars as not in keeping with India's constitutionConstitution of India
The Constitution of India is the supreme law of India. It lays down the framework defining fundamental political principles, establishes the structure, procedures, powers, and duties of government institutions, and sets out fundamental rights, directive principles, and the duties of citizens...
, and that it would emerge as an alternative, cabinet.
. However there's an alternative view which states that the NAC could deepen democracy by facilitating greater prelegislative/pre-policy consultation
External links
- Official site
- New NAC Members
- Editorial by Dr. Jacob Kani in Indian Currents
- Editorial in the Times of India on NAC.
- statement by George Fernandez, leader of the opposition on the formatio of NAC.