5.14 ndian onom
found to be deficient in relation to the ‘economic reforms’ with the help of the
nation’s requirements; steering committees.
(ii) Formulate a plan for the most effective It should be noted here that once
and balanced utilisation of the country’s the process of economic reforms was
resources; initiated in the country (early 1990s)
(iii) On a determination of priorities, define there was a diminishing role proposed
the stages in which the plan should be for the state in the economy in some
carried out and propose the allocation of areas and increased role for the state in
resources for the due completion of each some other areas. The re-definition of the
state’s role in the economy (though it was
stage;
the contemporary thinking world wide)
(iv) Indicate the factors which are tending made most of the experts and the business
to retard economic development, and community to conclude as if there will
determine the conditions which, in be no role for planning in the economy.
view of the current social and political The New Economic Policy (NEP) of
situation, should be established for the 1991–92 was a prima-facie proposal for
successful execution of the plan; the expansion of the market economy
(v) Determine the nature of the machinery in the country. But it was not the case
which will be necessary for securing the altogether. Planning has not become
successful implementation of each stage irrelevant though it needed to search
of the plan in all its aspects; for a new orientation. And it was highly
(vi) Appraise from time to time the progress essential that the process of planning
achieved in the execution of each stage of keeps its relevance to the bigger and the
the Plan and recommend the adjustments broader process of economic reforms.
of policy and measures that such appraisal This particular new function of the PC
may show to be necessary; and must be seen in this light.
(vii) Make such interim or ancillary (ii) To monitor the progress of various
Central Ministries. It should be noted
recommendations as appear to be
here that for the first time, the PC
appropriate either for facilitating the
went to set the ‘monitorable targets’ for
discharge of the duties assigned to it;
10 areas indicating development. The
or on a consideration of the prevailing
Central Ministries have been linked to
economic conditions, current policies,
these monitorable targets. The timely
measures and development programmes;
performances of the Ministries are now
or on an examination of such specific monitored by the PC as per its new
problems as may be referred to it for function.
advice by Central or State governments.”
With the inclusion of the above-
With the commencement of the Tenth Plan mentioned two functions in the existing
(2002–07), the government handed over two new functions (which were already very
functions to the Planning Commission in 2002, broad), the PC had emerged as a real
namely: ‘supercabinet’. Since it was basically the
(i) To monitor the plan implementation Deputy-Chairman who officiated the
with special reference to the process of general meetings of the Commission, he