No plans to abolish Planning Commission, says Minister

Modi govt is yet to reconstitute the Planning Commission, the term of which is co-terminus with the govt

In the wake of rising debate over role of country's apex policy making body Planning Commission, government today said there are no plans presently to abolish it.

"No Sir. There is at present no proposal under consideration of the government for abolishing the Planning Commission," Minister of State for Planning Rao Inderjit Singh said in a written reply in Rajya Sabha to a question if there was any such proposal.

Earlier this week, the Minister in his Facebook post said there was a need for streamlining the role of the Commission.

He had also said that it should not be seen as a hindrance by states.

The Narendra Modi government is yet to reconstitute the Planning Commission, the term of which is co-terminus with the government. The Prime Minister is the chairman of the Commission.

Prime Minister is expected to make an announcement regarding the role of the Commission.

UIDAI:In reply to a separate question about funds utilised by Unique Identification Authority, he said as much as Rs 4,365 crore has been utilised between 2009-10 to 2013-14.

Upto June of 2014-15, a sum of Rs 255.33 crore has been utilised for the purpose, he added.