Modi asks ideas from general public on panel's replacement

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday invited ideas from the general public to shape the new institution that will replace the Planning Commission. The Prime Minister's Office has set up an Open Forum to collect ideas from the people."Inviting you to share your ideas on what shape the new Institution to replace the Planning Commission can take. We envision the proposed Institution as one that caters to the aspirations of 21st century India & strengthens participation of the States.

Also read: The man who would remake India: A 90-day scorecard

A special Open Forum has been created on MyGov for suggestions on the new Institution. Let the ideas flow," Modi tweeted.Modi had announced during his Independence Day speech that the soviet-style Planning Commission will be scrapped soon. Addressing the country from the Red Fort, Modi had said that the 64-year old Planning Commission, a vestige of socialist era, would be soon replaced with a new institution to address the current economic challenges and strengthen the federal structure. "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 Planning Commission," Modi said. Announcing the abolition of Planning Commission, Modi said it was set up to cater to the needs of earlier times and has participated in its own way in the development of the country."The internal situation of the country has changed, global environment has changed. Government is no longer the centre of economic development. Economy is much more broadbased now. State government is also a centre of development. I feel it is a good sign. If we have to take India forward, then states have to be taken forward," Modi said.Justifying the need to replace the Commission, Modi said, "Sometime it becomes necessary to repair a house. It costs a lot of money. But it does not give us satisfaction. Then we feel it is better to make a new house."The Prime Minister said, "We need an institution of creative thinking and for optimum utilisation of youth capability."The Planning Commission was set up in March 1950 by India's first Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru to promote a rapid rise in the standard of living of the people by efficient exploitation of the resources of the country, increasing production and offering opportunities to all for employment in the service of the community.