Question

Choose the correct statement about 'Planning Commission' :

• A. It had a constitutional status.
• B. Planning Commission was set up in 1952.
• C. Its recommendations were binding on the State Governments.
• D. It had an advisory role to make recommendations.

Hint:

The Planning Commission was set up in 1950 and had no constitutional status.
It could only advise the Government.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is D

Step 1: Understand the question:
We have to find the one correct statement about the Planning Commission of India.
So we first recall how it was set up and what powers it had.

Step 2: Recall facts about the Planning Commission:
The Planning Commission was set up in March 1950 by a resolution of the Government of India, not by an article of the Constitution.
It made the Five Year Plans, but it was only an advisory body. It could suggest plans and policies.
The final decisions were taken by the Union Cabinet and the National Development Council, and the States were not bound by its advice.

Step 3: Check option (A):
It says the Commission had a constitutional status. It was an extra-constitutional body created by a Cabinet resolution. So (A) is wrong.

Step 4: Check option (B):
It says the Commission was set up in 1952. It began in 1950. The National Development Council was formed in 1952. So (B) is wrong.

Step 5: Check option (C):
It says its recommendations were binding on the State Governments. They were only suggestions. States were free to accept or change them. So (C) is wrong.

Step 6: Check option (D):
It says it had an advisory role to make recommendations. This is correct. So (D) is right.

Final Answer:
Only statement (D) is correct, because the Planning Commission was an advisory body.