Consider the following statements : 1. National Development Council is an organ of the Planning Commission. 2. The Economic and Social Planning is kept in the Concurrent List in the Constitution of India. 3. The Constitution of India prescribes that Panchayats should be assigned the task of preparation of plans for economic development and social justice. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Let's analyze each statement: Statement 1: National Development Council is an organ of the Planning Commission. Incorrect. The National Development Council (NDC) is not an organ of the Planning Commission. It is an extra-constitutional body formed in 1952, and it’s a high-level body for decision-making on matters of national importance related to economic development. While the Planning Commission served as the Secretariat for the NDC, the NDC itself was independent and comprised of the Prime Minister, Chief Ministers of States, and members of the Cabinet. The Planning Commission was abolished in 2014 and replaced by NITI Aayog. Statement 2: The Economic and Social Planning is kept in the Concurrent List in the Constitution of India. Correct. Entry 95 of the State List initially dealt with public order and police. However, through amendments, economic and social planning has been placed in the Concurrent List (List III). This allows both the Union and State governments to make laws on this subject. Statement 3: The Constitution of India prescribes that Panchayats should be assigned the task of preparation of plans for economic development and social justice. Correct. The 73rd Constitutional Amendment Act (1992) added Part IX to the Constitution, dealing with Panchayats. Article 243G specifically states that Panchayats shall be endowed with such powers and authority as may be necessary to enable them to function as institutions of self-government and includes the preparation of plans for economic development and social justice. Therefore, only statements 2 and 3 are correct.