"A big difference now is that the Planning Commission used to give lots of money to the states, we don't really do that now", says the Vice Chairman of NITI Aayog, Mr. Arvind Panagariya. He says that this has empowered the states to take decisions on their own and the NITI Aayog is now guiding the states intellectually. Commenting on the Land Acquisition Bill and the furore it generated in the Monsoon Session of Parliament. Mr. Panagariya says that the law itself has several clauses that are empowering and that it is sad narrow political interests have prevailed over the national interest in the Parliament. He points out that growth in itself has been quite inclusive and improved the plight of the poor though hasn't eliminated poverty but opining on India's current account deficit he says India is placed at a much better position than China.
