(a) whether the proposed scrapping of the parent planning body would severely affect the Public Distribution System and MGNREGA programme;
(b) if so, the details thereof and the reasons therefor; and
(c) the measures proposed to be taken in this regard?
MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) FOR MINISTRY OF PLANNING AND MINISTER OF STATE FOR DEFENCE (RAO INDERJIT SINGH)
(a) to (c): The Government has decided to replace the present Planning Commission which was constituted vide Government of India Cabinet Resolution dated March 15, 1950. Towards this end, the process of consultation with different stakeholders for setting up of new Institution is underway. Suggestions from public have been sought. Prime Minister has also held a consultation meeting with the Chief Ministers on December 7, 2014. However, this decision does not affect the continuation of the Centrally Sponsored Schemes (including MGNREGA) which are being implemented by the Central Ministries and for which budgetary provisions have already been made in the Budget of 2014-15. In so far as the Public Distribution System (PDS) is concerned, the same is being implemented as a joint responsibility of Central Government and the State Governments/ Union Territory Administrations. The expenditure for PDS is predominantly in the form of food subsidy, which is a non-Plan expenditure and allocation for which has already been made by the Ministry of Finance for the year 2014-15. Besides, the Government has enacted the National Food Security Act 2013, which seeks to provide food and nutritional security, in human life cycle approach, by ensuring access to adequate quantity of quality food at affordable prices to people to live a life with dignity.