December 7, 2014 Press Statement on Planning Commission General Secretary, AICC and Chairman Communication Department, Shri Ajay Maken, today said that,the Congress Party opposes and condemns the efforts being made by the BJP Government- in a devious manner characterized by typical subterfuge and doublespeak- to dismantle the Planning Commission. It cautions the Government against diluting the Commission’s functions that ensure socio-economic justice and robust federalism, in the name of reforms aimed at benefitting vested interests and corrupt practices in project implementation. The sudden and unilateral announcement by the Prime Minister, Sh. NarendraModi, on 15th August, 2014 to disband the Planning Commission took the nation by surprise. The resulting uncertainty in the country has created an untenable situation that has raised fundamental questions on the BJP Government’s intent and the future of the planned development. Today, this announcement was followed by a meeting with Chief Ministers without having had any debates/ deliberations at any forum whatsoever. The aim clearly is to roughshod and hoodwink for political one-upmanship. The idea of economic planning for an independent India was first envisaged in Haripura Session of the Congress in 1938 presided by Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose. He declared “the first task of the Government of free India as being the setting up of a National Planning Commission”. The Congress set-up a “National Planning Committee” with Jawaharlal Nehru as its Chairman. The Planning Commission of India was established by a resolution of the Cabinet on 15th March, 1950 to provide for planned development and a means to raise the living standards of the people in Independent India. The following was the mandate of the Commission: Assessing the material, capital and human resources of the country with a view to augment them; Formulate a Plan for the more effective and balanced utilization of the country’s resources ; Determination of priorities; and Allocation of resources to the States and periodic appraisal of the progress achieved in the execution of Plan and recommend Policy adjustments where necessary. The Planning Commission became part of the Government and its roles and responsibilities included in the Allocation of Business Rules, 1961, framed under Article 77(3) of the Constitution. The importance of the Planning Commission is to mediate between the Centre and the States for planning and funding of the Plans, thereby strengthening India’s Federal Structure. The Planning Commission has evolved over a period of time as it made a notable contribution in planned development through the 12 Five Year Plans until now. Even in a market economy, many aspects need planning since they require cooperation of multiple layers of Government as there exist, cross cutting issues across different sectors. For examples: Social Sector:The issues of Women and Child Development cannot be assigned to a single Ministry i.e. Women and Child Development as it cannot bring down infant or maternal mortality in isolation. It would need to do so in synergy with other Ministries/Departments like Rural Development, Health, Agriculture, Panchayati Raj, Science and Technology etc, apart from civil society and citizen groups. Planning Commission has ensured the participation of varied stakeholders and implementer in planning which is important for implementation. It has also involved the Civil Society whereby it could directly participate in planning for what will ultimately affect its destiny. The BJP Government intends to distribute the functions of planning commission amongst the Ministry of Finance and Subject Matter Ministries, which will result in loss of perspective and of long term view. Even though, we have embraced market economy, India is still a country where the fruits of development have not reached millions of people. Therefore, planning is essential. India cannot let the market forces decide the destiny of marginalized people. The Planning Commission has adapted to the changed economic environment and reoriented itself to meet the objectives of the economic growth, infrastructure and planned development. THE UIDAI is housed in the Planning Commission and is tasked with important National Mission of Adhaar and Direct Transfer of Benefits to the citizens. There may have been shortcomings of the Planning Commission but it also has inherent strengths. It is important to retain the good and expunge the chaff. What the Planning Commission needs if at all, is further required reorientation and not a political burial. The Prime Minister Modi’s announcement to dismantle Planning Commission is arbitrary. No meeting of NDC was convened and the States not consulted. This, has undermined the federal structure of the country. The move is short sighted and dangerous. It will have long term adverse impact on Central and States relations. Any move to rename or restructure is unwarranted in the national interest and must be opposed.
Posted on: Sun, 07 Dec 2014 14:40:28 +0000
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