PM calls for early Constitution of District Planning Committees; says inclusive growth possible only through inclusive Governance

The two-day National Conference of Chairpersons/CEOs of District Planning Committees was inaugurated by the Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh in New Delhi today. Speaking on the occasion Dr. Singh said, “Every plan must start with a vision and it is important for us to look at what our collective vision ought to be. To my mind, the most important issues before us are to meet the challenge of reducing inequity and inequality. Following the envisioning process, a plan will need to emerge from the Gram Sabha at village level upwards. When these plans move to the next level of local government, such as the intermediate and district Panchayats, they in turn would add what comes within their purview of responsibility. This is also an appropriate time to fit together priorities that cut across the jurisdictions of Gram Panchayats and municipalities into larger projects. Finally, it is for the District Planning Committees to consolidate the urban and rural plans into draft development plans for the district as a whole. The next step is to match resources with the plan. Over the past nearly 5 years, Central government transfers to Centrally Sponsored Schemes (CSS) have increased nearly threefold from Rs.36,000 crores in 2004-05 to Rs.1,20,000 crores in 2008-09. The top 15 CSS with the NREGA at the fore front now account for nearly Rs.85,000 crores. Of all the provisions in the 73rd and 74th Amendments, Article 243 ZD of the Constitution which provides for District Planning Committees has perhaps been the last to be implemented in full measure. Till four years back, only 12 of the 24 States to which the Panchayati Raj and Nagarpalika provisions of the Constitution applied, had constituted DPCs. I am happy to note now that 19 States have constituted these Committees and I sincerely appeal to the remaining States to adhere to these mandatory provisions of the Constitution without any further loss of time. There is no other way to include the aspirations of all our people to guide our collective destiny other than to develop a strong local government system. Inclusive growth, which is the motto of the 11th five year plan, can be achieved only through inclusive governance.”

The Minister for Panchayati Raj, Mr. Mani Shankar Aiyar laid emphasis on the fact that the District Planning Committees should take into account the plans and aspirations of people at the grassroots. A manual on Integrated District Planning was also released by the Prime Minister on this occasion.

The Ministry of Panchayati Raj along with the Planning Commission and the Ministry of Urban Development has organized this National Conference of the Chairpersons of the District Planning Committees. The Chairpersons of the Zilla Parishads, Chief Executive Officers of the Zilla Parishads, representatives of the national Institutions involved in supporting the process of district planning and State Institutes of Rural Development are participating in the Conference. The Conference is also being attended by the State Secretaries in the Departments of Rural Development, Panchayati Raj, Planning and Urban Development. Representatives of concerned Central Ministries are also present. Overall, around 1000 persons are attending the Conference.

The two-day Conference on 16th and 17th January 2009 will see presentations on subjects related to district planning by officials and experts. Shri Mani Shankar Aiyar, Union Minister for Panchayati Raj, Dr. Yoginder Alagh, Chairperson, IRMA and former Minister for Planning, Government of India and Dr. Rangarajan, former Governor of the RBI will also be addressing the delegates.

AVC/RS