Non-plan expenditure

The New Year seems to hold a special place in the hearts of the mandarins of the Planning Commission, the country’s apex policy-making body. Yojana Bhavan, its headquaters, has been decked out with floral garlands and lamps and so on, unlike any other government office. This prompted a senior official to quip that the problems of the country have started engulfing the Commission. He pointed to the fact that for over two years now the Commission lacked a proper drinking water supply - officials depended on water bought from outside. Yet, it appears to have the funds to fritter on such extravagances as new year decorations.