Drawing flak for its theoretical functioning, the Planning Commission has re-started a process of reforming its approach to the plan process. The Commission will start discussions with think-tanks, consultations with various stakeholdes including businesses and labour unions. Besides, it will re-define its role as a mediator between various sectors, factions and deal with issues that pull down economic development and hamper smooth business operations.
Officials in the know said that the Commission in its last internal meeting sought suggestions from top officials and members to improve its functioning in line with changing needs. "When the Commission was re-constituted in 2009, there was some activity according to the directives of the prime minister to transform it more into a systems reform Commission, but it was left mid-way as most members and officials got bogged down with routine work related to preparing the 12th Five Year Plan," a senior Commission official directly involved in the process said.
Now that this process is over and the mid-term appraisal would start only after a new government takes over, the Commission has re-started the earlier work that was left, the official said.
Giving examples of the work that Planning Commission wishes to do in the coming days, the official said it would try and facilitate discussions and interactions between stakeholders in the industry and labour unions to formulate just and amicable labour practices in the country.
Also, it would look at issues dogging the country's pharmaceutical sector and find solutions for that. The best practices adopted by different states could also be shared with others.
However, it does not mean that the Commission would not do its regular work. But the emphasis would be more on process change, both within and outside the Commission.
To start with, the Commission is facilitating a discussion with labour unions in Germany and India to understand best labour laws and practices and formulate them in India.
"We already have too many committees and laws, but they have not served any purpose. Now is the time to sort out the issues and work towards making the Planning Commission a true reforms Commission," the official added.
