12th Plan to focus on reducing poor-rich gap: MoS

The focus of the 12th Five-Year Plan (2012-17) will be on bridging the rich-poor gap by accelerating growth in the rural and backward parts of the country, newly appointed Minister of State for Planning Ashwani Kumar said today.

"The 12th Plan will focus on further reducing rich poor gap by giving impetus to economic growth in the hinterlands," Kumar said after assuming charge of the office.

Kumar has been given the portfolio at a time when the Planning Commission is working on the 'Approach' document of the 12th Plan which would ultimately lead to formulation of the five-year period document.

Focus will be on improving "delivery" of government's flagship schemes within the stipulated timefarme, he said.

"Planning assumes importance in the wake of globalisation of economy and need to make benefits of it reach all corners of the country and people," he added.

Kumar, a Rajya Sabha member, was earlier Minister of State for Commerce and Industry.