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The Wire
7 days ago
- Business
- The Wire
'NITI Aayog No Substitute,' Says Ex-Bureaucrat as Govt Moves 9 Flagship Schemes Out of Usual Appraisal System
'By doing away with such an appraisal process, and bringing in NITI Aayog, the government is blocking doors to a professional socio-economic appraisal of schemes – something that is essential.' An illustration on the Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission's official site. New Delhi: Ayushman Bharat, Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana, and PM Kisan, are among nine of the Narendra Modi government's flagship schemes that the government has decided to keep outside the ambit of the ongoing appraisal process for central sector programmes, Economic Times has reported. Speaking to The Wire, a former secretary in the finance department has called this a move by the government to block doors to a professional socio-economic appraisal of schemes. The report says that in a letter dated July 4, the Department of Expenditure asked the respective ministries and departments to exclude the schemes from the standard appraisal process. This exclusion will remain in place for the next five years, starting April 1, 2026, the report said. These schemes, the letter said, will be evaluated and appraised in detail by the planning think-tank NITI Aayog's Development Monitoring and Evaluation Office. An unnamed senior official quoted by ET noted that this is because some of these schemes will need "some structural changes." "Niti Aayog has been tasked to do the detailed exercise so there is no duplicity of efforts,' the official told ET. The full list of the schemes are: Ayushman Bharat, Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana, PM Kisan, Ujjwala Yojana, PM Jan Dhan Yojana, PM Stand Up India, PM Jeevan Jyoti Bima Yojana, PM Suraksha Bima Yojana, and a scheme under the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade to refund central GST and integrated GST to industrial units in northeastern and Himalayan states. In addition, schemes related to the Department of Space and the Department of Atomic Energy and the National e-Vidhan scheme are also outside the ambit of the appraisal process. A former secretary in the finance department told The Wire that the NITI Aayog is no substitute for an established system of appraisal. The former bureaucrat said that the established practice is that a Public Investment Board (PIB) headed by the expenditure secretary appraises all new schemes that involve large investments. The erstwhile Planning Commission – under the Manmohan Singh-led United Progressive Alliance government – used to have a Project Appraisal Division (PAD) that had expertise in evaluating such schemes and projects. The PAD would give inputs to the PIB for appraisal. The PIB's recommendations on the scheme would then be looked at by the Cabinet for a final decision. The former IAS officer, who headed the PAD and PIB, noted that PAD and PIB inputs added value to schemes. "While recommending a scheme to the Cabinet with improvements, I remember setting apart a small percentage of the investment for independent social audits to provide feedback during implementation," he noted. He also added that NITI Aayog "woefully lacks the required expertise, as PAD used to conduct social-cost social-benefit appraisal, which NITI Aayog is not in a position to do." "By doing away with such an appraisal process, and bringing in NITI Aayog, the government is blocking doors to a professional socio-economic appraisal of schemes – something that is essential," he added. The Wire is now on WhatsApp. Follow our channel for sharp analysis and opinions on the latest developments.
Time of India
16-07-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Nine flagship government schemes exempt from standard appraisal till 2031
The government has decided to keep nine flagship schemes outside the ambit of the ongoing appraisal process for central sector programmes for the next five years, starting April 1, 2026. In a letter dated July 4, the Department of Expenditure instructed the respective ministries and departments to exclude schemes such as the Ayushman Bharat , Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana , PM Kisan , Ujjwala Yojana and PM Jan Dhan Yojana from the standard appraisal process as these, with far-reaching social implications, will be evaluated and appraised in detail by the Niti Aayog's Development Monitoring and Evaluation Office. Explore courses from Top Institutes in Select a Course Category Data Science Data Science Artificial Intelligence Product Management Finance CXO MCA Healthcare Leadership Cybersecurity Technology Digital Marketing Design Thinking Public Policy PGDM healthcare Management Operations Management others Project Management Degree Data Analytics Others MBA Skills you'll gain: Duration: 11 Months E&ICT Academy, Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati CERT-IITG Postgraduate Cert in AI and ML India Starts on undefined Get Details Skills you'll gain: Duration: 11 Months IIT Madras CERT-IITM Advanced Cert Prog in AI and ML India Starts on undefined Get Details Skills you'll gain: Duration: 10 Months E&ICT Academy, Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati CERT-IITG Prof Cert in DS & BA with GenAI India Starts on undefined Get Details Skills you'll gain: Duration: 10 Months IIM Kozhikode CERT-IIMK DABS India Starts on undefined Get Details Skills you'll gain: Duration: 30 Weeks IIM Kozhikode SEPO - IIMK-AI for Senior Executives India Starts on undefined Get Details "Some of these schemes have done well but require some structural changes and the Niti Aayog has been tasked to do the detailed exercise so there is no duplicity of efforts," a senior official told ET. The other four schemes are the PM Stand Up India, PM Jeevan Jyoti Bima Yojana and the PM Suraksha Bima Yojana managed by the Department of Financial Services, and a scheme under the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade to refund central goods and services tax and integrated GST to industrial units in north-eastern and Himalayan states. The Department of Expenditure has also kept the schemes related to the Department of Space and the Department of Atomic Energy outside the ambit of this exercise which require special appraisal and approval procedures. The National e-Vidhan scheme will also be outside the ambit of the appraisal process. Live Events
Time of India
01-07-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Crude oil prices back at $67/barrel, likely to remain stable: Minister Puri
Hardeep Singh Puri says crude oil prices are stable. They are around USD 67 per barrel. India is diversifying its oil sources. It now buys from 40 countries. The nation is also increasing biofuel blending. Puri highlights India's economic growth. He mentions the Ujjwala Yojana's success. He urges chartered accountants to embrace AI. Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads Union Petroleum and Natural Gas Minister Hardeep Singh Puri on Tuesday said crude oil prices are back at USD 67 per barrel and are likely to remain around that at the 77th Foundation Day of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI), Puri also said India increased biofuel blending and is sourcing crude oil from 40 countries as against 27 said when the tensions were at their peak in the Gulf region recently, many tried to be alarmist about the crude oil prices moving northwards."I said nothing will happen. Oil prices sahi rahenge (will remain stable). Don't worry. And the price of oil is back to USD 67 a barrel. Why do I say that? ...there is enough oil available in the world," the minister Puri added India has diversified its crude oil sourcing."We used to buy oil from 27 countries, we are buying it from 40 countries," he minister also spoke in detail about the achievements made by the country in bio-fuel blending, and meeting targets ahead of schedule."We are the second-highest biofuel blending nation in the world. And today, when I look at it, any day you could raise it from 20 per cent to 25 per cent and 30 per cent. You have to just do your consultation and take what is along," he further said green hydrogen is the fuel of the his address, the minister also listed the achievements of the Modi government during the past 11 said the ministry's flagship Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana , has delivered over 16.5 crore LPG connections since 2014, empowering women, reducing indoor air pollution, and promoting public growing market capitalisation of Oil & Gas PSUs-nearly doubling to Rs 8.79 lakh crore since 2014-reflects the sector's robust performance and the trust of investors, he further said that in the past 11 years, India has risen from the eleventh to the fourth largest economy in the said India's GDP has more than doubled-from USD 2.1 trillion in 2014 to USD 4.3 trillion in 2025."We have recently overtaken Japan and are poised to become the third-largest economy by 2030, overtaking Germany," the minister said while highlighting the country's resilience during global headwinds and the critical role played by bold policy reforms, extensive social welfare schemes, and sound financial Minister called on chartered accountants to embrace artificial intelligence and advanced analytics, automating routine tasks to focus on strategic advisory roles and harnessing data-driven insights for more effective decision-making."Embracing AI is no longer optional-it is essential for staying competitive and innovative in today's evolving financial world," he urged the ICAI community to uphold transparency, efficiency, and accountability as India marches towards a developed nation by at the occasion, ICAI President Charanjot Singh Nanda said that from 1700 members to over 4 lakh members spanning across 47 countries, the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India has grown a long way in the last 77 years."As a trusted partner in nation building ICAI has always supported the Government initiatives contributing to India's journey towards becoming a Viksit Bharat. Our profession is evolving rapidly, with AI, blockchain, and big data, the tools may change, but our values must remain constant," Nanda said.
India.com
28-06-2025
- Politics
- India.com
BJP's ‘Nari Shakti' Rhetoric Faces Leadership Test Within Party
New Delhi: In Indian politics, slogans often do the heavy lifting. 'Nari Shakti', the BJP's rallying cry for women's empowerment, has been a consistent part of its electoral pitch, development agenda, and cultural messaging. From schemes like Ujjwala Yojana to the push for the Women's Reservation Bill, the party has repeatedly projected itself as a champion of women's rights. However, despite years of promoting 'Nari Shakti' as a key electoral plank and cultural identity, the Bharatiya Janata Party today finds itself in an uncomfortable position, lacking a strong, popular pan-India woman face in its top leadership or newly formed cabinet. While the Modi cabinet has seven women ministers, none of them enjoys pan-India popularity like Sushma Swaraj or other former women leaders of the party. This apparent disconnect between rhetoric and representation hasn't gone unnoticed. This gap has raised eyebrows among political observers, and as the 3.0 Modi-led government takes shape, a critical question arises: Where are the women? A cabinet without prominent women "Nari Shakti" is a powerful slogan, but slogans don't substitute for representation. The absence of prominent female leadership highlights how women are still perceived more as support systems than leaders within the party. This is not a new pattern. The BJP fielded around 16% women candidates in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, a modest improvement, but still far short of the 33% goal it has publicly endorsed. Despite a strong base of women MPs (31 out of the BJP's 240 in the 18th Lok Sabha) and growing female participation in election campaigns and grassroots politics, few women are elevated to positions of national political visibility or decision-making authority. As per several analysts, parties field women candidates in either safe or hopeless constituencies, rarely in the crucial battleground seats. Women are mobilized during elections, but not groomed for leadership. Experts feel the BJP's Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam Act was a mere eyewash, promising 33% reservation for women in Lok Sabha and state assemblies, but delivering a paltry 31 women MPs in 2024, a stark decline from 42 in 2019. Experts say this is a part of a broader pattern where women are mobilized as voters and campaigners, especially in welfare schemes and outreach initiatives, but are not empowered as political decision-makers. This paradox, between women's increasing political visibility and their absence from actual leadership, has drawn criticism. Political Analyst Sandeep Choudhary said, "Making Droupadi Murmu the President of India, a tribal woman from a humble background, certainly sent a message to the world. But let's not mistake representation for empowerment. Women do not become empowered merely by holding symbolic positions. Real empowerment demands structural change; women must be given real power in legislative assemblies, in ministries, in administrative authority, and in decision-making bodies where their voice is not just present, but heard and acted upon." "Women's participation in politics should not be conditional upon the will or generosity of men. As long as male leaders continue to decide which woman should get a ticket, whose voice should rise, and who should be sidelined, empowerment will remain a distant dream. Women must be allowed to rise through their merit, their strength, and their vision, not based on what role the male leadership assigns them. Until then, this will not be true empowerment, but controlled representation," he further added. "Look at Smriti Irani, she is articulate, bold, and deeply connected to the ground realities. Yet after her defeat, she vanished from political prominence. In contrast, men like Pushkar Singh Dhami and Keshav Prasad Maurya were made Chief Minister and Deputy Chief Minister despite losing. This inconsistency shows that women are still viewed as exceptions, not equals," Choudhary further highlighted, adding, "Today, the BJP governs many states across India, yet how many women do we see as Chief Ministers? Just one, and that too, a recent appointment of Rekha Gupta in Delhi, after the fall of the AAP government. If women truly matter in politics, why are they missing from the top posts across the country? You cannot talk about Nari Shakti while structurally excluding women from leadership roles." Experts feel that when capable women are ignored, it sends a message to the next generation of women that their rise will always depend on factors beyond competence. "Slogans like 'Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao' and 'Nari Shaktikaran' are powerful, but they must translate into policies, opportunities, and representation. Until a woman can rise from the Panchayat to Parliament without systemic bias, until her ticket isn't decided by the male high command, and until her defeat isn't treated as final while men are resurrected, true women's empowerment will remain a distant ideal," he concluded. Ground-level mobilization, but no elevation To be fair, the BJP has effectively mobilized women at the grassroots, using self-help groups, local welfare schemes, and women-specific subsidies to cultivate strong female voter bases. In states like Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh, women played a decisive role in the BJP victories. Initiatives like the Ladli Behna Yojana and targeted welfare programs have built immense goodwill among women voters, especially in rural India. BJP has mastered the art of symbolism when it comes to women, but that mobilization has not translated to genuine political inclusion. Women are present on the ground, not in the room where decisions are made. This dissonance, women as voters versus women as leaders, is now becoming too stark to ignore. Reports also say that women's representation is far lower than in many other democracies. The few women who do make it are typically from politically privileged families. Senior Journalist Rahul Lal slammed the BJP, saying, "The BJP's actions suggest that women's empowerment is not a priority for the party, and that the Nari Shakti slogan is merely a publicity gimmick." Making his views stronger, Rahul Lal added, "Women have been marginalized in every matter in terms of representation, and it's not an exaggeration to say that the BJP's Nari Shakti slogan has been a mere facade. The BJP could have given more tickets to women, but they didn't, and as a result, women's representation in the party has taken a hit. The Saffron party's promises of women's empowerment have turned out to be empty promises, with no substance or action to back them up." Regional contrast and missed opportunities Regional parties have offered a different model. In contrast, parties like the TMC, BSP, and even Congress have put women front and center. Mamata Banerjee, Mayawati, and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra are household names. Meanwhile, the BJP, a party with a national presence and deep organizational machinery, lacks any woman who occupies a similar national leadership space today. What must change Experts feel that for the BJP to credibly claim the mantle of 'Nari Shakti,' it must: Elevate women into the party's highest decision-making bodies, including cabinet committees and national executive posts. Field women candidates in winnable constituencies and train them for long-term leadership roles. Move beyond symbolism, giving women policy authority, not just campaign responsibilities, and promote internal mentorship and leadership pipelines, especially from grassroots to national politics. Time for structural empowerment The BJP's messaging around "Nari Shakti" has undeniably reshaped how women voters see politics, as something accessible and participatory. But turning that participation into real representation requires more than slogans. Until women are given real power, not just portfolios but policy-shaping authority, the gap between narrative and reality will continue to grow. In an era where optics matter, substance matters more. The question is no longer whether the BJP can mobilize women. It's whether it is ready to be led by them.
Time of India
23-06-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
BJP MP Eatala Rajender accuses Revanth Reddy of undermining self-respect, sacrifices of Telangana people; praises PM Narendra Modi's leadership
BJP MP Eatala Rajender HYDERABAD: At the same meeting, BJP MP Eatala Rajender accused chief minister Revanth Reddy of "undermining the self-respect of Telangana people" and failing to uphold the sacrifices made during the statehood movement. He slammed the Congress govt for pushing the state into debt and weakening probes into BRS-era scams. He praised PM Modi for "ensuring India's safety during the Covid-19 pandemic" and for encouraging indigenous vaccine production. "Schemes like PM-Kisan and Ujjwala Yojana are transforming lives of the poor, farmers, and women. We are moving with a vision to make India a developed country by 2047," he said.
