The Planning Commission has begun the process of building a consensus on the key parameters to be addressed in the approach paper to the 12th Five-Year Plan 2012-17.
The Commission has identified 12 key development challenges facing the country that would be reflected in the approach paper covering both systemic issues as well as sectoral needs.
In order to elicit views and opinions of southern governments and other stakeholders, the Planning Commission is holding a two-day regional level consultation with the southern states in association with the government of Karnataka on June 10 and 11, said V S Acharya, minister for higher education and planning, government of Karnataka.
This is the third such consultation being held in the country after those in Delhi and Patna. The fourth round will be held in Mumbai later.
Briefing reporters on the event, he said the regional consultation would involve the participation of the deputy chairman, Planning Commission; minister of planning, government of India; chief ministers and ministers of planning departments; and delegation of officers from Karnataka, Kerala, Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu and Puducherry.
For the first time, the commission is involving the civil society groups, non-governmental organisations, representatives of urban and rural local bodies, trade unions, regional and state level business associations and academicians in the consultation.
On June 10, Montek Singh Ahluwalia, deputy chairman, Planning Commission will inaugurate the session and hold consultations with the chief ministers. On June 11, there will be discussions with NGOs/civil society organisations from all southern states on issues including social justice and gender issues. The academicians and business associations and trade unions will also be heard, Acharya said.
The Planning Commission has also established a separate interactive website, www.12thplan.gov.in linked to its own website. Any suggestions can be emailed to the Planning Commission through it, which also contains information on the challenges that need to be addressed in formulating the approach paper, he said.