Modi convenes CMs meet on new plan panel

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has convened a meeting of chief ministers in New Delhi Dec 7 to seek their views on the structure and functioning of the revamped Planning Commission, Tripura Chief Minister said here Wednesday.

Modi in his first Independence Day speech had announced that the 64-year old Planning Commission would be abolished and replaced with a more relevant institution.

"Prime Minister has called a meeting of Chief Ministers in New Delhi on Dec 7 to obtain opinions about the new body that would be formed after abolishing the existing Planning Commission," Sarkar told IANS.

Sarkar, who is heading country's lone Left Front government in Tripura, did not elaborate on what his suggestions would be on the new panel.

"I would attend the meeting and submit my opinions," Sarkar added.

Union Planning Minister Rao Inderjit Singh said in New Delhi recently that the Planning Commission would continue to function under the chairmanship of the prime minister and a new body will replace the commission but till then, the existing entity would continue performing its mandate.

A senior official of Tripura's planning and coordination department said that the commission has received many suggestions regarding the name and role of the new body.

"Some of the suggested names of the new body include, National Development Reforms Commission, Sustainable Development Commission, National Development Agency, Social Economic Development Commission or Bharat Pragati Lakshya, Niti Aayog or Policy Commission," the official added.