(a) whether the approach paper to the Tenth Five Year Plan has come in for criticism
by the various organizations;
(b) if so, the details and reasons therefore;
(c) whether the Alternative Dalit Media has submitted any memorandum to the
Government in this regard;
(d) if so, the points raised therein with the response of the Government thereto; and
(e) the action taken/proposed to be taken by the Government in this regard?
MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) OF THE DEPARTMENT OF
DISINVESTMENT, MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRIES OF PLANNING,
STATISTICS & PROGRAMME IMPLEMENTATION AND MINISTER OF STATE
IN THE DEPARTMENT OF ADMINISTRATIVE REFORMS AND PUBLIC
GRIEVANCES (SHRI ARUN SHOURIE)
(a)& (b): The Approach Paper to the Tenth Five Year Plan is yet to be approved by
the National Development Council.
(c): Yes, Sir,
(d): The central point raised in the Memorandum is that the welfare of Dalits depends
primarily on increasing public investment and employment; and not so much on
growth arising from greater private initiatives. Continuation of anti-poverty
programmes in their present form and land reforms has also been mentioned.
(e): These issues are being examined in the context of fiscal sustainability and wider
national interests.