G.O.Ms.No.23, Replacement of State Planning Commission by the State Development Policy Council

What the government order does

The Tamil Nadu Planning, Development and Special Initiatives (SPC) Department issued Government Order G.O.Ms.No.23 on 23 April 2020. It replaces the State Planning Commission with the State Development Policy Council following the abolition of the Plan and Non Plan distinction and the end of conventional Five Year Plans.

The State Development Policy Council is intended to provide long term strategy, medium term perspectives and a blueprint for action with defined goals and time frames. Its focus includes policy coordination and coherence, rather than only financial allocations.

Main policy functions

The State Development Policy Council is expected to:

• Identify and address conflicts or contradictions between policies across sectors and departments.
• Support goal setting through consultation and feasibility assessment.
• Promote regular consultation between government departments and review policies, including their regulatory impact.
• Consider both policy and allocation issues in sectors where private participation and regulation are important, including housing and urban development.
• Build partnerships with government stakeholders, national and international advisory bodies, educational institutions and policy research institutions.
• Support knowledge, innovation and entrepreneurship through collaboration with experts and practitioners.
• Advise on decentralised planning and plans concerning Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes and the Leave No One Behind concept.

Programmes that continue

Government Order G.O.Ms.No.23 states that the State Development Policy Council will continue programmes previously implemented by the State Planning Commission, including:

• State Balanced Growth Fund.
• Tamil Nadu Innovations Initiative.
• Special Area Development Programme.
• Activities of the Tamil Nadu State Land Use Research Board.

The earlier State Planning Commission had administered innovation initiatives, monitored the Tamil Nadu economy and worked on a draft Land Use Policy for Tamil Nadu through the Tamil Nadu State Land Use Research Board.

Relevance to land and property

Government Order G.O.Ms.No.23 does not prescribe procedures for buying, selling, registering or approving land. Its direct effect is institutional, but it is relevant to land policy because the activities of the Tamil Nadu State Land Use Research Board continue under the State Development Policy Council. Property buyers, owners and professionals may therefore encounter the Council's work indirectly through future land use policy, planning studies or coordinated government programmes.