PM Narendra Modi invites ideas from people on institution to replace the Plan Panel

NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi has asked people to share their ideas on what shape the new institution that would replace the Planning Commission could take.

Modi had announced the demise of the Commission set up by Jawaharlal Nehru in 1950, in his Independence Day address. A statement from the Prime Minister’s Office said a special open forum has been created on the new government portal for citizens, mygov.nic.in, where suggestions on the new institution can be discussed.

“We envision the proposed institution as one that caters to the aspirations of 21st century India & strengthens participation of the states.... Let the ideas flow,” the Prime Minister said.

Stressing that India can only move forward if states prosper, Modi in his August 15 address had said: “Within a short period, we will replace the planning commission with a new institution having a new design and structure, a new body, a new soul, a new thinking, a new direction, a new faith towards forging a new direction to lead the country based on creative thinking, public-private partnership, optimum utilisation of resources, utilisation of youth power of the nation, to promote the aspirations of state governments seeking development, to empower the state governments and to empower the federal structure.”