New identity for Planning Commission

The Planning Secretary Sindhushree Khullar has suggested five changes that could outline the identity, structure and function of the body that will succeed the 64-year old commission. According to officials at the Planning Commission, Khullar has in a Cabinet note proposed a new name and reduced strength for the new body. The note, drafted following a directive from the PMO, also suggests limiting the new panel´s functions to key areas like infrastructure, mining and targeted implementation of the government´s flagship schemes.The government is in the process of collating the views of all stakeholders on the new institution. It has been suggested that the name of the new institution should reflect the spirit of development and knowledge-based work that the body will undertake.