After announcing the >decision to dismantle the Planning Commission , Mr. Modi has invited ideas from the public on a new body. Whether India would have been better off without a Planning Commission or it achieved the best, thanks to it, is a moot question. New and dynamic ideas for growth are the need of the hour. With economic growth slowing down, the Planning Commission increasingly looked like a white elephant. There was widespread dissatisfaction about its role. What remains to be seen is whether the alternative will be better.
Zulfikhar Akram,
Bangalore
The Planning Commission has lost its significance. Doing away with it is the first step towards empowering the States. What we need are quick decisions in fast-changing scenarios. The new body Mr. Modi seeks to form should assume the role of a catalyst rather than becoming a part of the budgetary process. The members should be from different backgrounds and should be able to guide the Centre and the States.
K. Vinaya Kumar,
Secunderabad
If, as many political parties allege, the BJP is bent on dismantling the Planning Commission for political reasons, it will be shameful. But if development is the only purpose behind the decision, it is a right step in the direction of progress. However, it is important to remember the fundamental objectives of the Commission.
Nisha Chauhan,
Shimla
The Planning Commission worked quite well in the early years. But things have changed, especially during the last decade, with the advent of smaller and newer States. There is no doubt that there is a need to reorganise our planning structure, with think tanks headed by impartial experts in various fields. It is also important to involve youngsters, who have done exceptionally well, in the process.
C. Shankar,
Bangalore
