The Finance Minister, Mr Pranab Mukherjee, is believed to have told a meeting of the full Planning Commission that the disinvestment target for current year may not be met.
The Government has set a disinvestment target of Rs 40,000 crore for 2011-12. Mr Mukherjee also apparently said that disinvestment ought not to be regarded as major source for Plan funding in future.
The full Planning Commission, under the chairmanship of the Prime Minister, met on Saturday.
Given the uncertainty in the equity market, the Government has been able to mobilise Rs 1,144.55 crore through disinvestment. Even during the previous year 2010-11, it managed to get Rs 22,144.31 crore against the target of Rs 40,000 crore.
States' support
The Finance Minister is also understood to have advised the full Planning Commission meeting that States lagging in growth should be given more support. This is in line with the Plan panel views on inclusive growth.
On the other hand, the Home Minister, Mr P. Chidambaram, is believed to have said that tolerance against inflation is coming down. Keeping this in mind, the 12{+t}{+h} Plan should work to moderate it. The Home Minister advised that unemployment at the rate of 6.6 per cent should be contained.
Participating in the discussion, the Agriculture Minister, Mr Sharad Pawar, is believed to have said that there should be a second green revolution during 12{+t}{+h} Plan.
He has desired to start this in the eastern India.
The Rural Development Minister, Mr Jairam Ramesh, advocated for integration of programmes like Indira Awaas Yojana within those of water and sanitation.