The Congress, supported by the Trinamool Congress, Rashtriya Janata Dal and CPI(M), on Monday opposed the Centre’s move to ‘dismantle’ the Planning Commission. The Commission, on the other hand, should be strengthened, said the party.
Raising the issue during Zero Hour in the Lok Sabha, Congress leader Adhir Chowdhury said the country has an “emotional attachment” with the “great institution” constituted as a think-tank after Independence.
“If there are any shortcomings, what is required is mending, not ending. You should not dismantle it but rejuvenate it,” he said.
The Planning Commission is an important independent institution which has been guiding the development of various States, he added.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi had announced in his August 15 speech that the Plan panel would be replaced with a new entity in line with the new economic realities. The Centre is said to be working on the modalities of the proposed Neeti Ayog (Policy Commission), which are likely to be announced soon.