Naidu seeks liberty for states to spend funds
HYDERABAD: Stating that most chief ministers have favoured an alternative structure that would replace the Planning Commission, in which states will have more participation, Andhra Pradesh chief minister N Chandrababu Naidu has said he suggested to prime minister Narendra Modi to give liberty to states to spend funds according to their needs and prepare effective five-year and annual plans for the overall development of the country.
Speaking to reporter after attending a meeting of chief ministers chaired by Modi in Delhi on Sunday to discuss the structure, scope and role of the new body that will replace the Planning Commission, Naidu said the commission had become outdated and had not achieved its goal.
'States never got desired benefits from the Planning Commission. There is a need to decentralise power and planning.'
Even former prime minister Manmohan Singh, towards the end of his tenure, had stressed the need for a relook at the Planning Commission. Since Modi had worked as a chief minister, he had a better understanding of issues being faced by the states and would see that those issues were rectified.
'The Centre is looking at a structure which would have the prime minister, some Union ministers and some chief ministers along with technocrats and experts in various fields. I suggested preparation of a vision document for 35 years so that India could be one of the leading countries by 2050,' he said.
Alleging that the Planning Commission, Finance Commission, National Development Council and Inter-State Council lacked coordination, Naidu said the new body should ensure coordination among all the important bodies. Naidu said he had also conduct of Parliament and Assembly elections at the same time in all the states.
News Posted: 7 December, 2014
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