Congress condemns move to replace plan panel

The Congress Sunday condemned the move by the Narendra Modi government to replace the Planning Commission with a new body, saying that the effort was "characterised by subterfuge and doublespeak".

Party general secretary Ajay Maken said in a statement that the 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.

The party "cautioned the government against diluting the planning 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".

It said the move to replace Planning Commission had taken the country 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," the Congress said.

Referring to Sunday's meeting of Prime Minister Narendra Modi with the chief ministers, the party said: "The aim clearly is to roughshod and hoodwink for political one-upmanship."

The statement said the idea of economic planning for an independent India was first envisaged in Haripura session of the Congress in 1938 presided by Netaji Subhas 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 statement said.

The statement said that though the country had embraced a market economy, 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."