National Development Board

In 1952, the National Development Board was established. It was suggested to establish it during the First Five Year Plan. The Prime Minister is the Chairman of this Board. All Union Cabinet level Ministers, Chief Ministers of all States, Governors of Union Territories, Planning Commission members, National Development Board members.

The objectives of the National Development Board are to get state cooperation in the implementation of projects. Integrating national resources and providing support to projects, promoting common economic policies in all sectors and achieving balance across all sectors.

The National Development Board is the link between the Central, State and Planning Commissions Acts as a bridge. It is called 'Super Cabinet'. The prime minister has been called inferior because all the cabinet ministers are there.

Niti Aayog

On January 1, 2015, the Planning Commission was abolished. (NITI = National Institution for Transforming India) Prime Minister Narendra Modi's Council of Ministers passed a resolution in December 2014 to dissolve the Planning Commission and form the Niti Aayog.

The Prime Minister is the Chairman of the Niti Aayog. The Vice President is appointed by the Prime Minister. The Chief Ministers of the States and the Lt. Governors of the Union Territories are members of the Niti Aayog Board. Four cabinet-level ministers are also members of the Niti Aayog. Experts are special invitees of the Commission.

Strengthening the positive union system, focusing on the development of the weaker sections of the society. Prioritizing national security over strategic skills, supporting entrepreneurship. Monitoring and evaluation of programs are the main objectives of Niti Aayog.

Central Human Rights Commission

The Central Human Rights Commission is known as the National Human Rights Commission. It is a statutory commission, established under the Protection of Human Rights Act 1993(a). It examines the right to freedom and equality.

A retired Chief Justice of the Supreme Court will be appointed as the Chairman of the Commission. One of its members should be a serving judge of the Supreme Court. The members of this Commission are the Chairperson of the National Commission for Minorities, the Chairperson of the National Commission for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Castes and the Chairperson of the Women's Commission.

The term of office of the Chairman and members of the Commission shall be five years but they shall retire if they attain the age of 70 years before the expiry of the term. The main functions of this Commission are to investigate the violation of human rights, study the living conditions of the inmates, protect the human rights, control the activities that interfere with the human rights, and create awareness about the human rights.

State Human Rights Commission

The Protection of Human Rights Act came into force in 1993 which allowed for the establishment of State Human Rights Commissions along with National Human Rights Commissions. The State Human Rights Commission inquires into cases of violation of human rights for matters listed in the State and Concurrent Lists under the Seventh Schedule to the Constitution of India.

The State Human Rights Commission consists of a Chairperson and two members. Usually a retired Chief Justice of the High Court is appointed as the Chairman of the Commission. A member must have served seven years as a Judge in any District Court of the State. Another member should have general knowledge regarding human rights.

Governor appoints them. An advisory committee chaired by the Chief Minister will make a recommendation in this regard. The term of the Chairman and members is five years. Or retire at the age of 70.

Central Information Commission

The Central Government has established the Central Information Commission by issuing a Gazette. This commission consists of one chairman and about ten members. The Chairman and Vice-Chairman of this Commission are appointed on the recommendation of the Appointments Committee. Central Information Commission is headquartered in Delhi. Those who have vast knowledge and experience in the fields of law, science technology, social service, journalism, administration etc. are appointed as chairman and members of this commission. A significant fact is that of the state or union territory legislature members cannot be appointed to this commission. The Appointments Committee is chaired by the Prime Minister and consists of the Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha and one member of Union Cabinet rank appointed by the Prime Minister. The salary of the Chief Information Commissioner shall be equal to that of the Election Commissioner until the tenure of the Chairman of this Commission is 5 years or till he attains the age of 65 years.

National Commission for Women

National Commission for Women was established in 1992. Its functions are for women Its functions are to provide constitutional and legal protection to women, to remedy the disadvantages of women and to provide legal advice to the government regarding women.

On January 31, 1992, the first National Commission was formed under the chairmanship of Jayanthi Petnayak. There are five members with a chairman. Members have experience and expertise in many fields. A Member Secretary is also appointed by the Central Government.

The National Commission for Women investigates and takes action against complaints about denial of women's rights, protection and equality afforded to women. Steps will be taken to solve women's problems. It also examines the representation of women. Any issue related to women will be reviewed and action taken. It will also report to the central government.

Central Vigilance Squad

It was established in 1964 by an executive order of the Central Government. The Commission was set up on the recommendation of the Santhanam Committee. It is the premier anti-corruption agency in the central government. It is neither a constitutional body nor a statutory body. Parliament gave it statutory status by enacting an Act in 2007.

This corps consists of a Central Vigilance Commissioner and three members. The President appoints the Commissioners and members on the recommendation of the Council. The Prime Minister is the Chairman, the Union Home Minister and the Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha are the members. The members of this commission shall hold office for four years or till the age of 65 years.

The President can remove the chairman and members of this body. This Central Vigilance Dal shall submit its annual report to the Central Home Department. The office of the Central Vigilance Commission is in New Delhi.

State Information Commission

The State Information Commission shall consist of a Chairman and not more than ten members. Appointees take oath in the presence of the Governor. A State Information Commission is constituted by a State Gazette issued by the State Government. Appointment of Chief Commissioner and other Commissioners (Members) of this Information Commission Appointed on the advice of the committee.

The Appointments Committee is chaired by the Chief Minister and consists of the Leader of the Opposition in the Legislative Assembly and one cabinet-level minister nominated by the Chief Minister. The Chairman and members of the State Information Commission should have the same qualifications as the Chief Commissioner and other Commissioners of the Central Information Commission. The pay of the State Chief Information Commissioner is at par with that of the Election Commissioner.

Information, since the existence of the commission, some corruption information has come out. Also, information on extra expenses will be revealed.

Lokpal

The Administrative Reforms Commission appointed in 1966 under the chairmanship of Morarji Desai recommended the creation of a body called 'Lokpal' at the central level for redressal of citizens' grievances. The Administrative Reforms Commission has said that the Lokpal should be appointed by the President of India, the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court in consultation with the Speaker of the Lok Sabha and the Speaker of the Rajya Sabha. The Lokpal system is said to have a chairman and eight members.

Percentage of members 50% should represent Scheduled Castes, Tribes, Women, Minorities and the rest should have legal or judicial background. Those without judicial background should have served at least 25 years in the Anti-Corruption and Vigilance Corps. Also they must have unquestionable authenticity. From 1968 till date Eight times the Lokpal Bill has been tabled in Parliament. Lokpal is empowered to look into the complaints filed against the Central and State Ministers and Secretaries. At present Lokpal is not functioning.

Lokayukta

As per the Lokayukta Act, it was allowed only after a recommendation was made to the Lokpal. State governments have been empowered to decide the nature and scope of the Lokayukta.

The Lokayukta Act was first enacted by the state of Orissa in 1980. The term of Lokayukta is five years or till the completion of 65 years, Upalokayukta is an assistant to Lokayukta. Lokayukta should be a retired Supreme Court judge. The Upalokayukta should have acted as a judge of the High Court. In Karnataka, the Karnataka Lokayukta Act was enacted in 1984 and the Karnataka Lokayukta was established in 1985 with its headquarters in Bangalore.