Plan appraisal paper may be modified

The Planning Commission's decision to refer the mid-term appraisal (MTA) of the Tenth Five-Year Plan to the Cabinet before it is taken to the National Development Council (NDC) on April 29-30 indicated that certain aspects of the document can be modified.This may question the government's commitment towards reforms.

Addressing this becomes important, as there are significant differences between the position taken by the commission and the views expressed by various ministries on issues, including the effectiveness of the ongoing programmes and schemes, and on the reforms road map.

It is feared that the reforms agenda suggested can be diluted to a significant extent.

"The MTA is an appraisal document unlike a Plan document, which has to be passed by both the Cabinet and by the NDC.

"It is not obligated to go through the process. However in the past, some MTAs have been referred to both the Cabinet and the NDC, and in some cases, they have gone to neither," Planning Commission officials told Business Standard.

"The decision to refer the MTA to the two bodies is part of a consultative process at the central and state levels.

"Implementation of the suggestions made in the document will require collective action at both levels," they added.

At a meeting of the Planning Commission held last week, it was decided to send the suggestions on different sectors to relevant ministries and departments, append their comments to the appraisal document, and forward it to the Cabinet for discussion. It is not clear whether the Cabinet will drop some suggestions, but officials say the possiblity is distinct.

"There is no official view by the government till it is cleared by the Cabinet.

"So, if it says that something needs to be dropped or amended, it will have to be done," said the officials.

The MTA was to identify the policy correctives and initiatives required in critical areas with reference to the new priorities outlined in the national common minimum program.

In infrastructure ,it was to assess the position of the major sectors, particularly the scope for increasing capacities through a combination of enhanced public investment and also attracting private investments to wherever feasible.