Modi calls for people's ideas on new panel

Govt has created platform on its website to store suggestions

Four days after announcing that his government will scrap the Planning Commission, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday sought ideas from people to outline the next generation panel that echoes states’ views to fulfill the “aspirations of 21st century India”.

 “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,” Prime Minister Modi stated, indicating what he thinks should be the broad contours of the panel.

The NDA government has created a platform on website mygov.nic.in to store suggestions on replacing the 64-year-old Soviet era planning body.

Modi, in his address to the nation on Independence Day, had announced his government’s intention of scrapping the Planning Commission. “We need a new body with a new soul....We will have to think about giving a new shape to the Planning Commission. Very soon, this new institute will start working in place of the Planning Commission,” he had said.
 
Modi had raised the issue during the run-up to the general elections.