Come up with bold ideas on power sector reform: PM to Montek

New Delhi, Mar 20 (UNI) Expressing concern over the slow pace of power sector reforms, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh today asked the Planning Commission to come out with ''bold ideas'' that could be discussed with state governments.

Chairing a meeting to review issues relating to agriculture, power and education, Dr Singh also asked the Deputy Chairman of the Planning Commission Montek Singh Ahluwalia to come forward with state-wise strategies for agriculture development and ''new ideas'' on vocational education and modernisation of education.

Further, the Commission should be pro-active in studying the issue of climate change and global warming and suggest strategies to deal with the challenge, he said.

The National Development Council (NDC), the highest policy making body comprising among others the Chief Ministers, would meet on May 29 to discuss agriculture development. This would be preceded by a meeting of the full Planning Commission next month, Dr Sanjaya Baru, Media Advisor to the PM, said in a statement.

On the farm sector, the Prime Minister said he would discuss the issue with Agriculture Minister Sharad Pawar and Chief Ministers and, if necessary, visit states to personally to review agriculture development initiatives.

He reviewed the implementation of the UPA government's flagship development schemes -- the National Rural Employment Guarantee Programme and the Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan.

Dr Singh asked the commission to closely monitor the implementation of these programmes along with concerned inistries and state governments.

''NREGA is one of our most important initiatives. We are increasing its coverage. It is essential that this programme is implemented effectively. Hence a systematic evaluation of its implementation till now is necessary to ensure that the programme delivers on its promises,'' he said.

Under the Budget 2007-08, NREGA would be expanded to 330 districts, up from 200 districts at present.

The Commission should function as a think tank, enabling exchange of ideas between Ministries, the Centre, the States and the civil society.

UNI