(a) Whether any proposal of restructuring of Planning Commission is under consideration of the Union Government;
(b) if so, the details thereof;
(c) whether any committee has been set up to suggest greater role for Planning Commission;
(d) if so, the details thereof; and
(e) its terms and references?
MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) OF THE DEPARTMENT OF
DISINVESTMENT, MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRIES OF PLANNING,
STATISTICS AND PROGRAMME IMPLEMENTATION AND MINISTER OF STATE IN THE
DEPARTMENT OF ADMINISTRATIVE REFORMS AND PUBLIC GRIEVANCES (SHRI ARUN SHOURIE)
(a): Yes, Sir. Planning Commission is currently engaged in an exercise to determine what
would be the most effective role for the Commission in the altered domestic and global scenario.
In this regard, a note prepared on the Role of the Planning Commission in the wake of changing
economic scenario was discussed in the full Planning Commission Meeting held on 30th September,
2000 under the chairmanship of the Prime Minister. The proposal was broadly approved and is to
be further discussed between the Deputy Chairman and the Union Finance Minister.
(b): In the face of changing domestic economic policy regime and an equally fast paced
integration of the economy with the emerging global order, investment planning is no more the
only, or the more predominant, or even the most effective instrument of pursuing development. In
fact, the role of state and hence of planning has to move from a direct intervention in economic
activity in general and the production process in particular, to facilitating creation of an
environment that encourages individual initiative and reaches out by providing opportunity to all.
Planning has to, therefore, go beyond undertaking mere budgetary allocations, between the
competing sectors and regions, for that alone would not be enough, and move towards ensuring
policy harmonisation over time and across space. This requires the Planning Commission to
strengthen its role as a `Think Tank` - a repository of expert knowledge.
(c) No, Sir.
(d) & (e) Do not arise.