Prime Minister Narendra Modi has invited ideas from the general public for the proposed new institution, which will replace the Planning Commission.

“We envision the proposed Institution as one that caters to the aspirations of 21st century India and strengthens participation of the States.... Let the ideas flow,” Modi said in a statement issued by the Prime Minister’s Office.

An open forum has been created on the website www.mygov.nic.in for suggestions.

Meanwhile, speculations on the members of this institution and its possible structure are already doing the rounds.

Media reports have said that the new body could be called National Development and Reforms Commission (NDRC), which will be headed by the Prime Minister and will have 5-8 members. However, Government officials said neither the names nor the structure have been finalised.

Interestingly, the name doing the rounds is similar to the one in China.

The Prime Minister, in his speech on August 15, had announced replacing 64-year-old commission with an institution based on public private partnership (PPP) and greater participation of States.

“Within a short period, we will replace the Planning Commission with a new institution having a new design and structure, a new body, a new soul, a new thinking, a new direction, a new faith towards forging a new direction to lead the country….,” he said.

He also said that that the new institution will be based on creative thinking, public-private partnership, optimum utilisation of resources, utilisation of youth power of the nation, to promote the aspirations of state governments seeking development, to empower the state governments and to empower the federal structure.

Related Topics