Plan panel to seek direct public opinion for 12th Plan

"We would soon launch a web portal for general public to share their views about achieving more inclusive and robust economic growth of over 10 per cent during 12th Five-Year Plan," Planning Commission Deputy Chairman Montek Singh Ahluwalia told reporters here.

The process of preparing approach paper to the 12th Plan has already been started and the panel wants that besides its experts and committees on different areas, the general people particularly youngsters share their views about how should the country should go about the next Five-Year Plan.

"It is not that we have not sought public opinion while formulating approach to various Five-Year Plans, this time they could directly approach us with their views," he said. Earlier their views have been expressed by their experts and representative while consultations through different committees for the purpose.

In the full Plan panel meet on March 23, the Prime Minister had asked the Commission to start the process of formulating 12th Plan envisaging 10 per cent annual economic growth target during the five-year period.

The panel is in the process of preparing approach paper for the 12th plan, which is expected to be ready by December this year. The budget for the next fiscal would reflect the approach to the next Plan period, an official said adding that on the web portal people would have access to their views as well others uploaded comments.