New Delhi: Meghalaya Chief Minister Mukul Sangma on Sunday joined the chorus of his party counterparts against the move by the BJP-led NDA Government to replace the Planning Commission saying it (Commission) should be rather reformed as per the changing economy for a better Centre-state relation.
Referring to the Cabinet resolution of March 15, 1950 by which the Planning Commission was set up, Sangma said, “This resolution does not deny any scope to introduce any new innovation or infuse new ideas and concepts as per the evolving times”.
Sangma was addressing the conference of chief ministers convened by Prime Minister Narendra Modi to discuss the future of the Plan panel.
“It is also unfair to say that the Planning Commission has failed to discharge its duty towards enhancing development of the country. I feel that instead the federal structure of the nation must be strengthened and schemes must be dove tailed as per the respective state’s needs,” Sangma said.
The chief ministers of Congress-ruled states, most of which are from North-East, spoke against the move to dismantle the Planning Commission.
Meanwhile, the All India Congress Committee also issued a statement opposing the move by the Prime Minister Narendra Modi to disband the Planning Commission.
The party said the steps to dismantle the plan panel was “unwarranted, shortsighted and dangerous” even as it cautioned the government against “diluting” the Commission’s functions.
“Congress party opposes and condemns the efforts being made by the BJP government in a devious manner characterised by typical subterfuge and doublespeak to dismantle the Planning Commission,” AICC Communication Department Chairman Ajay Maken said in a statement.