published details of nac-1 meetings

Press Information BureauGovernment of India

Prime Minister's Office23-June-2004 19:15 IST

Twelve persons nominated to National Advisory Council

The Prime Minister, Dr. Manmohan Singh, has nominated the following persons as members of the NationalAdvisory Council on the National Common Minimum Programme in consultation with the Chairperson, Smt. SoniaGandhi:-

Smt. Aruna Roy, Mazdoor Kisan Shakti Sangathan, Rajsamand, Rajasthan;1.

Shri C.H. Hanumantha Rao, Chairman, Centre for Economic and Social Studies, Hyderabad;2.

Shri Jairam Ramesh;3.

Dr. Jayaprakash Narayan, National Coordinator, Loksatta, Hyderabad;4.

Dr. Jean Dreze, Delhi School of Economics;5.

Dr. V. Krishnamurthy, UCAL Fuel Systems Ltd., Chennai;6.

Smt. Mirai Chatterjee, Coordinator, SEWA, Ahmedabad;7.

Dr. Madhav Chavan, PRATHAM, Delhi;8.

Dr. A.K. Shiv Kumar, Advisor, UNICEF, New Delhi;9.

Dr. D. Swaminathan, President, Mahatma Gandhi National Institute of Research and Social Action,Hyderabad;

10.

Shri Sam Pitroda; and11.

Shri N.C. Saxena12.

Print Release http://pib.nic.in/newsite/PrintRelease.aspx

1 of 1 14-12-2013 17:08

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1 of 1 14-12-2013 19:15


Prime Minister's Office17-July-2004 21:21 IST

Smt. Sonia Gandhi calls for effective strategies for Poverty Alleviation

National Advisory Council meetsThe first meeting of the National Advisory Council (NAC) was chaired by Smt. Sonia Gandhi, here thisevening. A presentation was made by Shri Sam Pitroda.

The discussions centred around issues relating to time-bound implementation of the National CommonMinimum Programme (NCMP). Smt. Sonia Gandhi stressed the importance of effective strategies andsteps being put in place in respect of poverty alleviation schemes and with particular reference to suchpriority sectors as Employment, Agriculture and Rural Infrastructure, Education, Health, and Womenand Child Development.

The proposals in the Union Budget, 2004-05 which envisage a 5-year Road Map for the NCMP as anintegral part of the country’s endeavour to accelerate socio-economic development and achieve theobjective of bringing about rapid growth with stability and equity, were also discussed. The Members ofthe Council were of opinion that the primary focus ought to be on the pro-poor programmes and thatthe Council’s recommendations to the Government should, as far as possible, be specific and result-oriented which would facilitate further expeditious action in this behalf.

It was agreed in the meeting that the Members of the Council would, keeping in view experience andthe available expertise, quickly study and formulate inputs for government policy in the areas, for thepresent, of Employment, Food Security, Agriculture, Governance, Education, Health, Women & ChildDevelopment, Tribal Affairs, Manufacturing, and Science & Technology.

The Chairperson and members of the National Advisory Council later called on the Prime Minister, Dr.Manmohan Singh, who expressed keen interest in the subjects discussed.


1 of 1 14-12-2013 16:54


Prime Minister's Office01-August-2004 17:16 IST

NAC meet discusses Employment Guarantee Programme and Freedom of InformationThe second Meeting of the National Advisory Council (NAC) was chaired by Smt. Sonia Gandhi lastevening. It was attended by nine Members of the Council.

The discussions centred on issues pertaining to expeditious implementation of the National CommonMinimum Programme (NCMP) with particular emphasis being directed to the proposed legislation inrespect of Employment Guarantee Programme and the provisions relating to Freedom of Information.These two important components of the NCMP were discussed in considerable detail. Therecommendations of the Council in this regard would be finalized and, thereafter, forwarded to theGovernment at the earliest.

Presentations were made on “Universalization of Access to Quality Basic Education” and HealthSector in the country. It was agreed that issues relating to Education, Health Care and Health Insurancewould be considered in depth in the next meeting scheduled for Saturday, August 14, 2004.

It was decided that the Members of the NAC would work together in the areas of their specializationduring the periods between meetings of the Council.


1 of 1 14-12-2013 16:55



NAC meeting finalises National Rural Employment Guarantee Bill and Right to Information ActThe third meeting of the National Advisory Council (NAC) was chaired by Smt. Sonia Gandhi, todayand was attended by nine members of the Council. The discussions began with further consideration ofthe proposed legislation in respect of an Employment Guarantee Programme and the provisions relatingto Right to Information.

It was agreed that the draft National Rural Employment Guarantee Bill, 2004 and the suggestedamendments to the Freedom of Information Act, 2002 (proposed to be called the Right to InformationAct, 2004), as finalized in the meeting, be forwarded to the Government for further action.

Discussions took place on issues pertaining to health in the light of the papers circulated for thepurpose, including a scheme for health insurance for poor families which is a component of theNational Common Minimum Programme. It was agreed that a detailed Agenda for Action would beformulated for further consideration in the Council. The Education sector, including the Mid-day MealScheme and the Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan, the ICDS programme, Governance, Tribal Welfare andDevelopment and the status of incomplete irrigation projects in different parts of the country areamongst the subjects to be discussed in the coming weeks.

The NAC also decided to engage in wider consultations with experts and practitioners in theirrespective fields. The next Meeting of the Council is scheduled for August 28, 2004 when theeducation and irrigation sectors will be discussed.


1 of 1 14-12-2013 17:40



NAC to provide input for policy formulation and to advise on CMP

The National Advisory Council (NAC) was constituted by the Government vide Order dated May 31, 2004. The Council is headedby a Chairperson with the rank and status of a Union Cabinet Minister and can consist of upto 20 Members. The present numberof Members is 11.

The NAC is an independent advisory body whose advice/recommendations would be submitted to the Government and aresubject to the normal scrutiny and processing of the Government. The decisions of the Government on theadvice/recommendations of the Council will be final.

The Council is supported by a Secretariat and can engage the services of experts and academics to assist in its work. An amountof Rs.1.56 crore has been earmarked for expenditure for the year 2004-05. All expenditure incurred in connection with thefunctioning of the Council and its Secretariat is to be met by the Central Government. For administrative purposes, funds for suchexpenditure will be provided through the Prime Minister’s Office. The Council will be accountable to the Government in the samemanner as all Governmental advisory bodies are.

The functions of the Council are:

to advise the Government on implementation of the National Common Minimum Programmei.

to provide input for the formulation of policies by the Government.ii.

The Council Members include academics, economists, representatives of the voluntary sector and technical experts. The briefdetails of the Chairperson and the Members are as follows:-

1. Smt. Sonia Gandhi,Chairperson - Member of Paliament; former Leader of Opposition, Lok Sabha

2. Smt. Aruna Roy, Member - Former civil servant, social worker and reformer, winner of Ramon Magsaysay award3. Shri C.H. Hanumantha Rao,Member

Agricultural Economist; Chairman of the Centre for Economic and Social Studies; formerMember of Planning Commission

4. Shri Jairam Ramesh,Member - Member of Parliament

5. Dr. Jayaprakash Narayan,Member - Former civil servant, writer and expert on governance, electoral reforms, health, etc.

Physician by training

6. Dr. Jean Dreze, Member - Mathematical Economist; Member of the faculty of Delhi School of Economics

7. Dr. V. Krishnamurthy,Member - Former Secretary, Industries, GOI, former Chairman in several PSUs

8. Dr. Madhav Chavan,Member - Educationist

9. Shri A.K. Shiv Kumar,Member - UNDP Human Development Report Member team; visiting lecturer in Harvard University,

Special Adviser, UNICEF10. Dr. D. Swaminadhan,Member - Chairman, Swaminadhan Research Foundation, Hyderabad; former Member, Planning

Commn., Educationist, agricultural scientist and planner

11. Shri Sam Pitroda,Member - Communications and IT expert; former Chairman Telecom Commission

12. Dr. N.C. Saxena, Member - Former civil servant, former Secretary, Planning Commission; expert in natural resourcesmanagement, community forestry, etc.

This was stated in the Rajya Sabha today by Shri Prithviraj Chavan, Minister of State in the Prime Minister’s Office in reply to aquestion by Shri Arun Jaitley, Shri Shahid Siddiqui and Shri S.S. Ahluwalia.


1 of 1 14-12-2013 16:59



NAC finalises action points on Mid-Day Meal Scheme and ICDSThe Fourth Meeting of the National Advisory Council (NAC) was chaired by Smt. Sonia Gandhi hereon Saturday and was attended by nine Members of the Council.

The discussions commenced with a review of the Education sector, with particular reference to theSarva Shiksha Abhiyayan. It was recognised that there are several important issues in ElementaryEducation at the district and other levels for which interventions need to be suggested in terms of widerpeople’s participation, convergence, quality of learning, provision of infrastructure, effectivemonitoring and public accountability and mission mode implementation. Note was taken of the pointsbrought out in the Papers circulated on the subject and it was agreed that, in the light of furtherconsultations that would be arranged, the NAC’s proposals would be forwarded to the Government ofIndia at an early date.

Discussions also took place on the Mid-Day Meal Scheme and on Universalisation of the IntegratedChild Development Services (ICDS). Action-points relating to the Cooked Mid-Day Meal Scheme andUniversalisation of the ICDS were discussed and finalized for being forwarded to the Governmentsoon.

In the afternoon session, a range of issues pertaining to the Augmentation and Conservation ofIrrigation Water and the status of irrigation projects which are in various stages of execution werediscussed. The causes underlying the delays in the implementation of major, medium and minorprojects and in respect of Wasteshed Development, the Accelerated Irrigation Benefits Programme,Rehabilitation and Resettlement Plans and Participatory Irrigation Management were gone into,keeping in view the emphasis placed in the National Common Minimum Programme on speedycompletion of on going Irrigation Schemes which would also benefit the lands of Dalits and Adivasis.


1 of 1 14-12-2013 16:56


Prime Minister's Office18-September-2004 19:24 IST

NAC website launchedThe Prime Minister, Dr. Manmohan Singh, launched the website of the National Advisory Council,www.nac.nic.in, at a function here today.

Launching the website, Dr Singh said that the NAC has been “an effective instrument providing a linkbetween the government and the thinking elements in our society”. He expressed his gratitude to NACChairperson Smt Sonia Gandhi and to its members for the “wealth of ideas generated in such a shortperiod of time. In the past planning has suffered from the weakness of having adopted a “top tobottom” approach. Rajiv Gandhi wanted a better link between the top and the bottom and thereforeempowered the pnchayat raj institutions.” Dr Singh added that the NAC has enabled the government toalso reach out to non-government organizations, social activists and intellectuals. “The NAC is aneffort to fill that gap. The government takes the advice of the NAC seriously. It has provided us with alot of food for thought.” said Dr Singh.


1 of 1 14-12-2013 17:38


Prime Minister's Office23-September-2004 19:33 IST

National Advisory Council to submit proposal on health insurance for the poor

The National Advisory Council met in New Delhi today and decided to formulate specific proposals on healthinsurance for the poor, community health volunteers, and health delivery systems that will be forwarded to thegovernment. The meeting chaired by Smt. Sonia Gandhi also discussed measures to tone up the public healthinfrastructure and improve sanitation.

At the outset, the Council was informed about the setting up of a non lapsable fund , the Prathmik Siksha Kosh,exclusively for Elementary Education sector, including the Sarva Siksha Abhiyan and the Midday meal scheme.The Council was also informed about the present status of processing of the draft Rural Employment GuaranteeBill and the draft Right to Information Bill.

The NAC meeting reviewed the detailed report on the deliberations and conclusions of the consultation workshopon health organized by the NAC on 22nd September 2004. The workshop discussed key issues including that ofconvergence of health, family welfare, nutrition and other related programmes. The urgency underlying measuresto improve the delivery systems, the preparation of village and district health plans, the integration of schooleducation and health care were also discussed. Emphasis was also laid the effective monitoring of the publichealth system including the enforcement of accountability, health insurance for poor families and its standards andcosting, the training of health workers, sanitation and appropriate redesigning of medical education werediscussed. Organizational, administrative, financial and legislative matters were also raised at the workshop.

Information about the Council’s functioning , along with relevant data is now http://nac.nic.in. The next meeting ofthe Council is scheduled for Wednesday 20th October 2004.


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Prime Minister's Office20-October-2004 20:22 IST

NAC recommends setting up of National Health MissionThe National Advisory Council has recommended setting up of a National Health Mission aimed atintegration of all health programmes and to improve the delivery systems. The NAC at its meetingchaired by Smt. Sonia Gandhi in New Delhi today decided to forward the proposal for the nationalmission to the Government for early implementation.

The Council first took up the recommendations in respect of the Health sector which focuses on acomposite approach to Health Care, the integration of vertical and horizontal programmes, sustainedmeasures to improve the delivery systems, effective monitoring of the programmes based ontransparency and accountability, and through increased public participation, the convergence of health,family welfare, nutrition, immunization, drinking water and hygiene, and sanitation schemes and thelinking of financial allocations to actual performance. It was agreed that the proposals, which alsoenvisage the setting up of a National Health Mission, may be forwarded to the Government at theearliest.

The Council also discussed issues relating to elementary education while reviewing the report on therecently held Consultation Workshop on ‘Universalization of Elementary Education’. It was agreedthat the proposal aimed at urgently activating the Sarva Siksha Abiyan Mission (which was announcedover 3 years back) and outlining the connected issues be sent to the Government for further action.Discussions also took place on Watershed programmes, issues pertaining to tribal welfare anddevelopment, the problem of eviction of tribal families from forest lands and a new National Policy forthe Resettlement and Rehabilitation of Project – affected families and associated matters.


1 of 1 14-12-2013 16:57

27 th November, 2004

The Seventh Meeting of the National Advisory Council (NAC) was chaired by ShrimatiSonia Gandhi at New Delhi today and was attended by nine Members of the Council.

2. The Council considered the recommendations relating to the Strategies forRehabilitation of Degraded Lands through Watershed Development, integrated with theFood for Work and the Rural Employment Guarantee Programmes, and with reference tosuch important aspects as Social Mobilization, considerations of Equity, InstitutionBuilding, Convergence of the relevant Disciplines, Capacity Building through Training,Water Conservation, Accountability and Transparency. It was agreed that appropriateproposals which comprehensively address the livelihood concerns of the poor and theequitable distribution of benefits may be forwarded to the Government of India at an earlydate.

3. The issues pertaining to Tribal Welfare and Development, the eviction of tribalcommunities from forest lands, the Rehabilitation and Resettlement of displaced personsand the need to put suitable policy guidelines and institutional arrangements in place forthis purpose were discussed (in the context of the commitments of the National CommonMinimum Programme) and will be pursued further through the formulation of compositerecommendations, keeping in view the interactions which have taken place with theMinistries concerned.

4. The Council took note of the current status of implementation of the commitmentsmade in the National Common Minimum Programme, including the Rural EmploymentGuarantee Programme.

6. The next Meeting of the Council was scheduled for Saturday, 8 th January, 2005.

National Advisory Council http://web.archive.org/web/20090410104515/http://nac.nic.in/Pressrel...

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8 th January, 2005

The Eighth Meeting of the National Advisory Council was chaired by Smt. Sonia Gandhiat New Delhi today and was attended by ten Members of the Council.

2. Discussions continued on issues relating to Tribal Welfare and Development, includingthe Computerization of Land Records (starting with the Scheduled Areas), the delivery ofHealth Services, the strengthening of Community Cooperatives in forest produce, thePolicy of nationalization of non-timber forest produce, Panchayat laws applicable to theScheduled Areas, joint forest management, shifting cultivation, land alienation andindebtedness, the need to improve the levels of governance and the absenteeism ofgovernment functionaries in the tribal areas. In the light of the discussions, it was agreedthat composite proposals which effectively protect the interests of the tribals, keeping inview the commitments of the National Common Minimum Programme, would beforwarded to the Government of India at an early date. It was further agreed that theproposed National Tribal Policy, which is in draft stage, would be examined and specificresponse sent to the Government.

3. The discussions also centred on the serious problem of eviction of tribals from forestlands, the impact of earlier Guidelines and their inadequate implementation. A VideoPresentation was shown and it was decided that the resolution of these issues would forman important component of the Council's recommendations in this regard.

4. A Presentation was also made on issues pertaining to Governance and on improving theDelivery of Programmes through Administrative Reforms in respect of the Civil Service,Panchayats and NGOs. An Outline was presented of related matters such as the proposedConstitution Amendment Bill for Autonomy of Cooperatives and of the tasks beingaddressed by the National Manufacturing Competitiveness Council, especially in regard toindustries like textiles, leather and leather goods and food processing and for employmentgeneration in the rural areas. These discussions will continue.

5. The next Meeting of the Council was scheduled for Friday, 14 th January, 2005.


1 of 1 14-12-2013 19:07

14 th January, 2005

The Ninth Meeting of the National Advisory Council was chaired by Smt. Sonia Gandhiat New Delhi today.

2. A detailed review was made of the status of implementation of the recommendations ofthe Council which have been forwarded to the Government of India. The design andprojected financial outlays of various proposals like the National Rural EmploymentGuarantee Scheme, the Rural Health Mission, the Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan and Mid-DayMeal Scheme as also the ICDS were discussed.

3. It was agreed that in the light of the discussions and broad assessment ofperformance, immediate reference would be made to the Government of India in regardto the financial allocations for these important programmes.

4. The next Meeting of the Council was scheduled for Saturday, 5 th February, 2005.


1 of 1 14-12-2013 19:08

5 th February, 2005

The Tenth Meeting of the National Advisory Council was chaired by Smt. Sonia Gandhiat New Delhi today.

2. The discussions commenced with consideration of the issues pertaining toDecentralization as part of the recommendations to be formulated by the Council onGovernance and Administrative Reforms. In this context, the Papers circulated in respectof the Autonomy of Cooperatives and Measures to strengthen the Local Self-GovernmentInstitutions were also discussed. It was noted that while independent mechanisms suchas effective local audit and Citizens' Charters can be of help in enforcing accountabilityand transparency, a comprehensive approach involving legislative and other steps wouldneed to be followed by the Union and the State Governments. It was agreed that thesubject of Local Governments and Citizen Empowerment would be studied in depth tofacilitate further consideration in the Council, alongside appropriate recommendationsbeing made to the Government in the short-term.

3. Discussions also took place on the tasks and priorities being addressed by the recentlyconstituted National Manufacturing Competitiveness Council to augment economicgrowth, promote the expansion of employment opportunities particularly in the textilesand apparel, leather and leather goods, handicrafts and food processing industries,encourage manufacturing innovations and strengthen the development of skills.

4. It was agreed that the proposed provisions of the draft “Unorganized Sector WorkersBill” may first be discussed with experts, labour representatives, officials and othersconcerned and a report placed before the Council.

5. A Presentation was made in regard to the draft National Tribal Policy on which specificcomments would shortly be forwarded to the Government.

6. The next Meeting of the Council was scheduled for Saturday, 5 th March, 2005.


1 of 1 14-12-2013 19:09

5 th March, 2005

The Eleventh Meeting of the National Advisory Council (NAC) was chaired by Smt. SoniaGandhi in New Delhi today.

2. The deliberations began with further consideration of the subject of Decentralization inthe context of Measures to Strengthen the Panchayati Raj Institutions, the Memorandumof the Task Force on Panchayati Raj (Rajiv Gandhi Foundation, August, 2004) and theResolutions adopted in the Round Tables convened by the Ministry of Panchayati Raj. AConsultation was arranged in this behalf on 4 th March, 2005 for which a Discussion Paperon the Empowerment of Local Governments, Stakeholders and Citizens (and other Papers)were prepared. It was agreed that the wide-ranging issues involved need to be studiedfurther with a view to formulating specific proposals and comments to be forwarded to theGovernment.

3. It was noted that the NAC recommendations on the draft National Tribal Policy hadsince been sent to the Government of India and that the draft National EnvironmentPolicy was in the process of finalization. It was felt that the comments of the NAC on theEnvironment Policy could be forwarded to the Government of India after clarificationshave been obtained and interactions have taken place.

4. It was also recalled that a Consultation had taken place in the Ministry of Labour andEmployment in respect of the draft “Unorganized Sector Workers' Bill” and thatsector-wise discussions may be arranged in this regard.

5. The next Meeting of the Council was scheduled for Saturday 2 nd April, 2005.


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2nd April, 2005

The Twelfth Meeting of the National Advisory Council (NAC) was chaired by Smt. SoniaGandhi in New Delhi today and was attended by nine Members of the Council.

2. The deliberations commenced with further consideration of the subject ofDecentralization in the context of “Realizing the Potential of Panchayati Raj and MunicipalBodies” in the country on which a Presentation was made. It was agreed that therecommendations in this behalf for action by the Government of India would be forwardedat an early date.

3. Issues pertaining to the Autonomy of Cooperatives and the Constitution (Amendment)Bill on Cooperatives were discussed and it was agreed that the same may beappropriately taken up with the Government. It was agreed to make recommendations tothe Government to simplify and make the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act, 1976more transparent for Development NGOs.

4. It was recalled that Status Reports had since been received in respect of the ICDSScheme and the draft National Tribal Policy. With substantially higher allocations havingbeen made for the Elementary Education, ICDS, Public Health and Rural EmploymentProgrammes, the Council underscored the need to ensure time-bound and effectiveimplementation of these Programmes.

5. The NAC welcomed the Report of the Parliamentary Standing Committee in respect ofthe Right to Information Bill and hoped that the Bill would be enacted soon.

6. It was felt that further discussions should take place on the draft “Unorganized SectorWorkers' Bill” and on the draft proposals of the National Commission on Enterprises in theUnorganized/Informal Sector relating to Social Security in this Sector. The Council wouldinitiate the preparation of an alternative draft Bill with focus on Social Security. It wasnoted that a Consultation would shortly be held on the draft National Environment Policy.

7. The next Meeting of the Council was scheduled for Saturday 7 th May, 2005.


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7 th May, 2005

The Thirteenth Meeting of the National Advisory Council (NAC) was chaired by Smt. SoniaGandhi in New Delhi today and was attended by eight Members of the Council.

2. The discussions commenced with consideration of the subject of Complete LegalEquality for Women in all spheres, including equal rights of ownership of property andagricultural land, which is an important component of the National Common MinimumProgramme. A Presentation was made on Inheritance Rights. It was agreed thatcomprehensive Recommendations suggesting legal and legislative action on gender-related issues, alongwith administrative steps in respect of allotment of land and forprogrammes like the Indira Awaas Yojana may be forwarded to the Government of India.It was recalled that action is already in hand on measures like the “Protection fromDomestic Violence Bill” on which also the Council’s views would be communicated to theGovernment.

3. Discussions took place on “Policy and Governance Issues in Land Management” whichcover the establishment of land titles, tenancy reforms and modernization of the revenueadministration. The current issues relating to Land Reforms and on the need to urgentlyimprove, update and fully computerize the maintenance of Land Records as also facilitateready access were reviewed. It was agreed that a Sub Group of the NAC Members wouldquickly formulate a set of Recommendations designed to achieve implementation in aMission Mode.

4. The Council took note of a draft of the “Unorganized Sector Workers Social Security Bill”covering all unorganized labour. It was felt that this would be a useful basis for furtherconsultation before being forwarded to the Ministry of Labour and Employment who wouldbe requested to place the same on their Website.

5. The NAC reviewed the status of the Prarambhik Shiksha Kosh and of Recommendationson the ICDS Scheme with a view to ensuring time-bound action on these Programmes. Asub Group of the NAC Members will, separately, recommend necessary streamlining of theprocedures..

6. The next Meeting of the Council was scheduled for Saturday, 4 th June, 2005.


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25 th June, 2005

1. The Fourteenth Meeting of the National Advisory Council (NAC) was chaired by Smt.Sonia Gandhi in New Delhi today and was attended by eleven Members of the Council.

2. A Presentation was made on issues relating to Modernization of the LandAdministration. This is an important component of the National Common MinimumProgramme on which time-bound action is required at the Central and State levels. It wasagreed that the recommendations which would include policy and operational action-points and suggest a sequence of implementation, would be forwarded to the Governmentof India. The Council recommended that a National Programme to modernize the LandAdministration covering the Computerization of Land Records, Survey and Settlement andthe establishment of clear Land Titles should be put in place soon.

3. Discussions took place on the proposed legislation to benefit the very large numbers ofWorkers of the Unorganized Sector for which, as a first step, a draft Unorganized SectorWorkers' Social Security Bill has been formulated. The draft Bill would be made availableto the Ministry of Labour and Employment to facilitate further discussion and consultationand would be placed on the Website.

4. The Council discussed some of the key issues in the field of Judicial Reforms in thelight of the Papers circulated on the subject, including in respect of Fast Track Courts,Local Courts and an All India Judicial Service whose creation would be recommended tothe Government. A draft Local Courts Bill would also be forwarded to the Ministry of Lawand Justice. The steps initiated to bring down the pendency in various Courts werereviewed. The NAC expressed the view that there is need for urgent procedural reforms inorder to expedite the implementation of priority social sector programmes like the ICDS.

5. The next Meeting of the Council was scheduled for Saturday, 30 th July, 2005.


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30 th July, 2005

The Fifteenth Meeting of the National Advisory Council (NAC) was chaired by Smt. SoniaGandhi in New Delhi today and was attended by ten Members of the Council.

2. The Rajiv Gandhi National Drinking Water Mission made a Presentation on the goals ofthe Rural Drinking Water and Sanitation sector. In appreciating the efforts made, over theyears, by the Mission, the NAC highlighted the following :-

(i) There is immediate need for a vastly expanded Rural Sanitation Programme all overthe country,

(ii) It is also necessary to complete coverage in all the “Uncovered” Habitations in thenext four years,

(iii) The National Programme for the restoration of local and traditional Water Bodies isextremely important from the point of view of enhancing Rural Water Supply.

3. As regards Water Supply in the Urban Areas, the NAC emphasized :-

(i) The need for a significantly enhanced Programme for Sewage Control and Sanitation,

(ii) A sharper focus on Urban Water Supply and Sanitation as part of the National UrbanRenewal Mission,

(iii) The need for Public-Private Partnerships to be implemented after due processes ofconsultation, in an environment of transparency, and with adequate accountabilitysafeguards.

4. A Presentation was made by the Planning Commission on the findings of the recently-completed ‘Mid-Term Appraisal of the Tenth Plan' in which attention was drawn to thestrengths and weaknesses of the economy and the need for remedial steps in severalareas. It was emphasized that focussed attention on Health and Education is imperativefor sustainable long-term growth. Policy interventions that are urgently required inAgriculture, in the Social Sectors and in Infrastructure were also discussed. The NACunderscored the importance of innovations in Delivery Systems that would ensure a keyrole for Panchayati Raj and Community organizations.

5. The next Meeting of the Council was scheduled for Friday, 26 th August, 2005.


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26th August, 2005

The Sixteenth Meeting of the National Advisory Council (NAC) was chaired by Smt. SoniaGandhi in New Delhi today and was attended by nine Members of the Council.

2. Discussions took place on the “Revival of Rural Cooperative Credit Institutions” in thecontext of the commitment in the National Common Minimum Programme (NCMP) todouble the flow of Rural Credit in three years and to substantially expand the coverage ofSmall and Marginal Farmers by institutional lending. The Report of the Task Force on theRevival of the Rural Cooperative Credit Institutions (Vaidyanathan Committee) wasdiscussed. It was agreed that the NAC would forward Recommendations to theGovernment of India supporting the Reform Package suggested by the Task Force.Attention would be drawn to in-built guarantees to increase coverage for Small andMarginal Farmers and for integrating the requirements of Women Self Help Groups invarious parts of the country. The centrality of legal and institutional reforms would beemphasized. The NAC also underscored the need to pay special attention to expandinstitutional credit in the North East where community ownership of land is common.

3. The technical, social and market issues in respect of “Regeneration of Wastelands” werediscussed. It was noted that these related to the regeneration of different types ofwastelands and cover agro-forestry, farm forestry and industrial plantations. Most of theproblems were cross-sectoral and changes are called for in the manner of functioning ofthe field machinery at the Central and State levels. It was decided that the NAC wouldtake up specific Action Points with the Government of India with a view to providingsharper and urgent focus to the implementation of the Wasteland DevelopmentProgrammes. It was also necessary to introduce the technologies which are now availablethrough various Scientific Organizations in the country.

4. The Council discussed the issues pertaining to a new National Policy for theResettlement and Rehabilitation of project-affected families and related matters. It wasagreed that these would be studied further to facilitate the consideration of a compositeLand Acquisition and Rehabilitation Bill in the Government of India, accompanied byeffective monitoring mechanisms.

5. The next Meeting of the Council was scheduled for Friday, 30 th September, 2005.


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30 th September, 2005

The Seventeenth Meeting of the National Advisory Council (NAC) was chaired by Smt.Sonia Gandhi in New Delhi today and was attended by ten Members of the Council.

2. The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare made a Presentation on the status of theNational Rural Health Mission whose implementation has recently commenced. In thiscontext, the NAC highlighted the following :-

(i) The architecture of the Mission and its objectives should be clearly defined, especiallyin key areas such as Universal Health Care, Infrastructure Improvements, Risk-poolingSystems and effectively integrated and locally accountable Service Delivery mechanismsand the requisite delegations and decentralization ensured,

(ii) Time-bound quantifiable goals and specific Road Maps need to be determined,alongwith the health infrastructure linkages and adequate financial allocations.

(iii) The Mission should strengthen a community-based Public Health System and movetowards a National Health Service of acceptable standards with universal coverage.

3. In regard to the HIV/AIDS Control Programme for which the National AIDS ControlOrganization (NACO) was set up in 1992 to function in Mission Mode, the NACemphasized

(i) Streamlining of data collection and collation, as also regular random sampling toensure more effective interventions.

(ii) Development of capacities at the grassroots level (and integration with the PublicHealth Delivery system) are critical.

(iii) It is necessary to reach out to the vulnerable sections, including sex-workers anddrug users.

(iv) A central feature of the HIV/AIDS Control Programme should be 100% use ofcondoms towards which a re-strategized Programme can be directed, with sharp focus onthe deliverable goals and full coverage of the vulnerable population.

4. A Presentation entitled “Energy Policy, 2005” was made in the general background ofthe rising international oil prices. The discussions on this subject will continue.

5. The next Meeting of the Council was scheduled for Saturday, 29 th October, 2005.


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29 th October, 2005

The Eighteenth Meeting of the National Advisory Council (NAC) was chaired by Smt. SoniaGandhi in New Delhi today and was attended by ten Members of the Council.

2. Discussions continued on “Energy Policy, 2005” covering the entire gamut of theEnergy Sector and focussing on the NCMP commitment that an Integrated Energy Policylinked to Sustainable Development will be put in place. It was decided that the issueswhich require urgent attention would be taken up by the NAC with the Government ofIndia, including in the areas of Energy Conservation, Availability of Rural Cooking Fuel,Intensified Domestic Oil Exploration, Emphasis on Renewable Energy Sources, Acceleratedincrease in Power Generation, Higher efficiency of Transmission and Distribution Systems,alongwith time-bound action towards the completion of an Integrated National Grid,Speedier exploitation of Hydro and Coal Resources and the development ofBiomass-based Power. Measures for professionalization and strengthening of the EnergyPSUs were also discussed. The specific Action Points would be raised with theGovernment.

3. The National Commission on Farmers made a Presentation on the First and SecondReports of the Commission, in the backdrop of the problems arising in the Farm Sectorleading to sub-optimal growth rate in Agriculture and distress amongst farmers. The NACexpressed deep appreciation of the work done by the Commission to formulate acomprehensive blueprint for the development of Indian Agriculture. Amongst othersubjects, the following were discussed :-

(i) There needs to be a paradigm shift from micro finance to livelihood finance andtechnology empowerment as well as market reforms in order to promote the concept oflivelihood security in areas characterized by farmers’ distress,

(ii) An integrated “Parivar Bima Policy” may be introduced for the rural poor for providinghospitalization expenses, life cover for death/ disability and cover for the dwelling units.This could be linked to Self-Help Groups (SHGs) and largely funded by Members’contributions,

(iii) A Gram Panchayat Mahila Fund could be set up with earmarked outlays for groupactivities and common amenities for women for on-farm and other gender specific needs.Legal land titles and allotment of surplus lands, including State Farm lands, to womenSHGs should be ensured for the empowerment of farm women,

(iv) Mission 2007 involving the establishment of Village Knowledge Centres may beconsidered for early implementation to promote Knowledge Empowerment and CapacityBuilding in the areas of agriculture and animal husbandry, fisheries, forestry,agro-processing, marketing and genetic literacy. Steps may be initiated to establishcotton estates, horticulture estates, organic agriculture estates and aquaculture estatesfor small holders,

(v) The Essential Commodities Act and other legal instruments relating to marketing,storage and processing of agricultural produce need to be reviewed in order to meet therequirements of modern agriculture. The Land Use Boards at the Centre and in the Statesmay be restructured and supported by Teams of Experts to reach pro-active advice to thefarmers based on meteorological, marketing and managerial information and to help inproviding early warning on possible surpluses (and shortages) of farm commodities,

(vi) A Technology Mission on Sugarcane may be organized jointly with the SugarcaneGrowers’ Organizations, Cooperatives and the Sugar Factories with focus on research,technology transfer and optimization of productivity and quality of sugarcane,

(vii) Institutional strengthening through the setting up of such bodies as a Livestock FeedCorporation and a National Fisheries Development Board may be expeditiously examined,

(viii) Farm Schools may be established to promote farmer-to-farmer learning andFarmers’ Markets revamped to meet the needs, particularly, of small producers.

4. The next Meeting of the Council was scheduled for Saturday, 26 th November, 2005.

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26 th November, 2005

The Nineteenth Meeting of the National Advisory Council (NAC) was chaired by Smt. SoniaGandhi in New Delhi today and was attended by all the Members of the Council.

2. The discussions commenced with a Presentation on the proposed “Right to Education”Bill and the issues which need to be addressed by the Central and State Governments inthis regard, such as progressive increase in the expenditure for Education andcomprehensive reforms for the decentralized management of Schools and SupportSystems. It was agreed that a Sub-Group of Members of the NAC would quickly studythe provisions of the proposed Bill and suggest changes and amendments after which theCouncil’s recommendations could be forwarded to the Government of India.

3. A Presentation was also made on Biomass, in the backdrop of the potential ofnon-conventional sources to promote energy security and reliability in different parts ofthe country. It was decided that measures to suitably expand this Programme and toorganizationally strengthen its implementation should be supported, alongside steps todevelop plantations and increase the availability of surplus biomass.

4. Discussion continued on the legislative and administrative steps required to be put inplace for the welfare of workers in the Unorganized Sector. Note was taken of the draftlegislation which has lately been formulated in this behalf. It was agreed that thecomposite draft Bill which is now being prepared by the Government would be discussedin the NAC at an early date.

5. The Council also considered the draft Gram Nyayalayas Bill and decided to forwardrecommendations, alongwith suggested amendments, to the Government of India as alsothe comments in respect of the draft Cooperatives Constitution (Amendment) Bill.

6. The next Meeting of the Council was scheduled for Friday,16th December, 2005.


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17th December, 2005

The Twentieth Meeting of the National Advisory Council (NAC) was chaired by Smt.Sonia Gandhi in New Delhi today and was attended by ten Members of the Council.

2. Discussions continued on the proposed “Right to Education” Bill. It was decidedthat the issues arising from the draft Bill and the priorities which need to be addressedwould be studied further and the Council’s recommendations sent, thereafter, to theGovernment of India. The emphasis has to be on reform in the Education System so thatthe expenditure is incurred efficiently and with accountability and is effective in terms ofdelivering measurable quality outcomes. It was noted that the role and responsibilityof the Government and of bodies like the School Managing Committee should be clearlydetermined for government schools, private schools which receive government aid andthe unaided schools. The academic and administrative support structures will need to bereorganized in order that the schools function well autonomously.

3. Presentations were made on the wide-ranging subject of Governance andAdministration and the basic issues of enforcement of Accountability and its fusion withAuthority, especially with reference to the concerns of the poor, Transparency so as tomake the administrative system more responsive and performance-oriented, a perceptibleshift from “Input Controls” to “Monitoring of Outcomes”, Simplification of Procedures,Professionalization and Reform of the Civil Services and the faster introduction ofInformation Technology in this field. Issues relating to Citizen’s Charters, Anti-CorruptionStrategies, Instruments of Accountability, Electoral Reforms and Speedy and EfficientJustice were also discussed. It was agreed that the suggestions to be formulated andforwarded to the Government of India may be appropriately categorized and prioritizedand should be amenable to early implementation.

4. Discussion took place on the progress of action in respect of therecommendations of the Council on various NCMP commitments, with reference to thebudgetary allocations and the operational and implementational requirements whichwould be taken up with the Government of India. This would cover areas like the MDM,the ICDS, the Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan, the Rural Employment Guarantee Programme andthe National Rural Health Mission.

5. The next Meeting of the Council was scheduled for Friday,13th January, 2006.


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13th January, 2006

The Twenty-First Meeting of the National Advisory Council (NAC) was chaired bySmt. Sonia Gandhi in New Delhi today and was attended by all the Members of theCouncil.

2. The discussions commenced with a Presentation on the National Rural EmploymentGuarantee Programme which is to be launched shortly in 200 districts in the country. TheOperational Guidelines which are being finalized to bring about the delivery-orientedimplementation of this Programme and to ensure that the Outlays are transformed intoOutcomes were reviewed. It was agreed that the process of wide-based discussions withGroups of Experts and NGOs and with the Ministry of Rural Development would need tocontinue and financial mechanisms put in place in order that the Programme is efficientlyexecuted in the different States and Districts. Note was taken of the specific suggestionsoffered by the Members of the Council who would remain associated with the furtherconsultations.

3. Discussions were held on matters concerning the Jarawa Tribe in the Andamanand Nicobar Islands, including the protection of their cultural identity and natural habitat,health status and regulation of traffic. It was decided that the issues involved should beexamined in a multi-disciplinary Sub-Group and also taken up with the Government ofIndia at an early date.

4. A detailed Presentation was made on the areas of concern relating to RegionalDevelopment and Centre-State Relations and on the issues emerging, over the years, inrespect of Plan Allocations and Central Government Assistance to the States and UnionTerritories. An Analysis of the causes underlying Regional Disparities and the problems ofthe less-developed States showed that several Policy Measures may require to beintroduced to promote growth, infrastructure and human development on a more evenbasis. It was agreed that the results of the Analysis may be studied further and sharedwith experts and specialists before being referred to the Government of India.

5. The next Meeting of the Council was scheduled for Saturday, 18th February,2006.

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18th February, 2006

The Twenty-Second Meeting of the National Advisory Council (NAC) was chaired bySmt. Sonia Gandhi in New Delhi today and was attended by all the Members of theCouncil.

2. The discussions began with a Presentation on the progress of the work being doneby the National Manufacturing Competitiveness Council (NMCC) who have recentlyfinalized a “National Strategy for Manufacturing”. The Strategy addresses the challengesthat face the Manufacturing Sector in India and aims at achieving a growth rate of 12% inthe manufacturing sector in the next decade, as compared to about 7% between1995-2004. The NAC appreciated the contribution being made by the NMCC and broadlyendorsed the Recommendations contained in the National Strategy. The Council stressedthe importance of focussing on specific employment-intensive industries like textiles(including handlooms), leather goods, handcrafts and agro/food processing. It wasrecognized that effective implementation mechanisms need to be put in place to ensuretime-bound action on the Recommendations. The Government of India would,accordingly, be addressed in this regard.

3. In the further discussions on the proposed “Right to Education Bill”, note wastaken of the views of the Sub-Group of the NAC Members constituted for the purpose. Itwas clear that legislative and administrative steps on the part of the Union Governmentcan provide content to the Fundamental Right to Education and fulfil the NCMPcommitments in the field of Education. The NAC agreed to take up the core issues in thisbehalf with the Government of India and suggest appropriate measures at the Central andState levels. The NAC reiterated its support to the Prarambhik Shiksha Kosh (PSK) as aneffective instrument of mobilizing additional resources for the Universalisation ofElementary Education.

4. Deliberations continued on the subject of Regional Development andCentre-State Relations, including in the context of the consultations arranged withExperts and Academicians. While these discussions remain to be concluded, it was feltthat ways and means have to be devised to augment the flow of funds to those Statesand Districts which are most in need of developing the physical and social infrastructure. Concerted and coordinated measures in this direction can substantially increase thegrowth rates in the poverty-affected areas and help towards reducing regional disparities.

5. The next Meeting of the Council was scheduled for Saturday,25th March, 2006.


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published details of nac-1 meetings

Documents

national advisory council

national coordinator

nationaladvisory council

sonia gandhi

members ofthe council

shri sam pitroda and11

shri jairam ramesh3

social action