Major task before NITI Aayog is to actively monitor and evaluate implementation of programmes

Rao Inderjit Singh, Minister of State of planning said that with Central Plan expenditure of the order of Rs. 5.75 lakh crore (i.e. about $92 billion) were being channelized per year for development, it was absolutely necessary that there is concurrent, comprehensive, credible and reliable evaluation. He said that Niti Aayog has a major task before itself to do the same. 

The minister stressed that there is a need for time-bound, ethical and credible evaluations based on ground level evidence and feedback, and conducted by independent organisations without any conflict of interest. He said, "It was time to consider developing a National Evaluation Policy that would provide direction to M&E activities in the country, laying stress upon quality standards and sound, ethical procedures and provide for appropriate institutional mechanisms." 

"A robust system should be in place to monitor progress towards these goals of gender equality, social equity and protection of environment," he stressed.