CPM to bring alternative paper to Eleventh Plan

Critical of the Planning Commission for not reflecting the priorities of the National Common Minimum Programme in its Approach Paper to the Eleventh Plan, the CPI(M) is preparing an alternative approach paper to be given to the UPA regime for consideration.

Going by the CPI(M)'s differences with the Planning Commission's Approach Paper, conveyed in a note to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Saturday, the Left's alternative is set to include favouring public investment over Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs) in infrastructure projects, rejection of the proposed labour reforms, disincentives on the export of minerals, reversal of financial sector liberalisation, and more public investment by the government and public sector enterprises.

"The Planning Commission has not given any concrete strategy for employment generation or addressed the agrarian crisis. It has chosen to only emphasize the achievement of a target growth rate of 8-9 per cent. We will, therefore, give our own alternative," CPI(M) general secretary Prakash Karat said today.

The Left party said that the Eleventh Plan should also specify a 'gender component' of a minimum of one-third for all government programmes.

Karat said that sector and sub-sector wise employment targets should be worked out along with the required quantum of public and private investment. The 'misplaced belief' contained in the Approach Paper regarding labour market flexibility leading to greater employment generation in the manufacturing sector should be abandoned.

Criticising the Planning Commission's emphasis on the PPPs, the Left party said that while PPPs may be an advantageous mode of developing infrastructure in certain cases, a shift from public investment to PPP as a preferred mode for the development of infrastructure projects in general cannot be acceptable since it affects "the basic structure of the economy".

Criticising the Approach Paper for its silence on food security, the CPI(M) suggested that the more essential commodities should be brought under the PDS, which should be strengthened.

The Left party opposed the suggestion in the Approach Paper to raise user charges for education and health services and also opposed any liberalisation of laws and rules in the mineral sector to attract more private capital.

The CPI(M) also said that there is a need for monitoring the role of civil society organisations as many of them are simply the external arms of foreign governments and agencies.