Planning Comms labels 11th Plan as collaborative

Lucknow, Oct 31: Planning Commission (PC) has labelled the 11th Five Year Plan as ''collaborative'' in nature.

''The draft of the 11th Plan was widely publicised, including on the web. The idea was to allow even the common man to submit their suggestions and feedback for consideration and possible incorporation in its final draft,'' Planning Commission Member Prof V L Chopra told UNI here.

''Later, East, West, North and South regional PC meetings were held, where respective chief ministers were invited for their learned views and suggestions on the 11th Plan, which is to be implemented next year,'' he informed.

On October 18, all the functional PC members met for a brain-storming session on the issue before the final draft was given shape, Prof Chopra said.

Union Ministers Pranab Mukherjee, Arjun Singh, Lalu Prasad Yadav, Dayanidhi Maran, Sharad Pawar, besides Deputy Chairman Montek Singh Ahluwalia are the PC members. Prime Minister Manmohan Singh is the Ex-officio Chairman of the Commission.

Meanwhile, the 'Approach Paper' of the 11th Plan has largely been approved and now it would soon be presented before the National Development Council.

The Planning Commission has asked for a ''substantial increase'' in plan outlay for the 11th Plan, Prof Chopra added.

''There are several ambitious developmental projects underway at the national level such as Bharat Nirman and midday-meal scheme, which require massive and long-term expenditure. Many of these projects have also been mandated in the Common Minimum Programme (CMP) of the central government,'' he claimed.

The PC member maintained the prime focus in the 'Approach Paper' is on sustaining a growth rate of 9 per cent or above in the 11th Plan.

''Presently, the Indian economy is growing roughty at 8 per cent, which we want to increase by at least one per cent, so that the average by the end of the 11th Five Year Plan floats above the floor of 9 per cent,'' he pointed out.

Besides, the PC is also mulling over a ''comprehensive energy policy'' in the 11th Plan to tide over growing energy requirement in the country.

The new energy policy would entail the pool of all available energy sources namely fossil fuel, atomic energy, biofuel, besides new energy sources.

Prof Chopra was here last week as chief guest at the 3rd National Interactive Meet (NIM 2006) organised by the Central Institute of Medicinal and Aromatic Plants (CIMAP), where he delivered a lecture on 'Food, income and health for all through strategic agriculture'.

UNI