Plan, but Do Not Over-plan

Drawing on six decades of India’s experience with planning, the main lesson for the NITI Aayog is that it must devote as careful thought to the planning process as to the strategic plan itself. It must recognise that it is not engaged in a technical exercise, but one that involves a deep understanding of people and organisational behaviour. The government and the Prime Minister too must realise that they have to play a significant role in articulating an economic vision, as opposed to endorsing suggestions put up by the bureaucracy.