The central government has recreated its premier think tank, NITI Aayog, and included them in the main policy planning body of the government, a step perceived as symbolic for allies of the National Democratic Alliance (NDA).
Shivraj Singh Chouhan, the former chief minister of Madhya Pradesh, has taken Narendra Singh Tomar’s place as the ex-officio member of the Union cabinet, according to a notification released late on Wednesday night. In addition to being the Minister of Rural Development, Chouhan was appointed to the position following the most recent Lok Sabha elections.
Along with Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal, the Centre has also removed Ashwini Vaishnaw, Union Minister for Railways, Electronics and Information Technology, and Information and Broadcasting, off the list of special invitees.
The Aayog was reorganised for the last time in 2021, and Arvind Virmani, the former chief economic adviser, required modifications in 2022.
There are now eleven people on the list of special invitees, up from five in 2021. Discussions on important policy issues are also open to special invitees at the central think tank.
The list contains Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu, a representative of the Telugu Desam Party in the Union cabinet. A special invitee is HD Kumaraswamy, the Minister of Heavy Industries and Steel and a former chief minister of Karnataka.
Leaders of the Hindustani Awam Morcha and former Bihar Chief Minister Jitan Ram Manjhi, Rajiv Ranjan Singh (Lalan Singh) of Janata Dal United, Chirag Paswan of the Lok Janshakti Party, and JP Nadda of the BJP are among those recruited into NITI Aayog.
These leaders are all members of the Union government. Additionally mentioned is Jual Oram, the Odisha-born BJP lawmaker who is returning in 2024 to serve as the Minister of Tribal Affairs.
With economist Suman Bery serving as Vice Chairman, former Commerce Secretary BVR Subrahmanyam serving as CEO, and members VK Paul, VK Saraswat, Virmani, and Ramesh Chand, the essential makeup of the Aayog is unchanged.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi serves as the think tank’s chair, and ex-officio members include the ministers of finance, defence, and home affairs.