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| Montek likely to have another stint as Plan panel Dy Chairman | | | Agencies
New Delhi Jun 1
Prime Minister Manmohan Singh having picked up ministers in his core team in whom he has confidence, the stage is set for the post of Planning Commission Deputy Chairman going once again to Dr Montek Singh Ahluwalia amid indications that a majority of the members of the Commission may not find a place in the new team.
The Prime Minister is looking for experts who will help in swifter implementation of the reform agenda and other programmes of the UPA government. The names under consideration are those who have excelled in various sectors. Dr Singh has a long-standing official relationship with Dr Ahluwalia, known for his erudition, knowledge of economics and his niche for reforms.
With sufficient indications that the Prime Minister would like to continue with like-minded people at the helm of affairs, all eyes are now on Dr Ahluwalia taking over once again as the Deputy head of the Plan Panel. The Prime Minister himself is the Chairman of the Commission. Highly placed sources say that orders in this regard are likely to be issued in the next couple of days. Sources say some of the members, who may not find a place in the new Planning Commission team, are Dr Syeda Hameed, Dr Anwarul Hoda, Dr B N Yugandhar and Prof V L Chopra. Despite their expertise and contribution to the Planning Commission work, including Eleventh Plan formulation, a strong view is emerging that it may be better to have new faces who are brand names in their respective fields.
Indications are that the UPA now no longer dependent on the Left support would like to put on fast track certain key sectors, like energy, infrastructure and programmes aimed at achieving food security. The Prime Minister's directive to various Ministries to draw out a 100-day action plan is indicative of the seriousness and the speed with which the premier would like things to get rolling. It is, thus, in the fitness of things that a composite team in the Commission would alone be able to ensure that programmes are implemented without delay. Dr Ahluwalia, even after resigning as Deputy Chairman of the Planning Commission, has been engaged in working out a new economic agenda for the government to undo some of the delays caused by the election process.
The constitution of the new Planning Commission as early as possible is also necessary as the process of formulation of the full Budget has to have both the demands and the views of the Planning Commission. Dr Ahluwalia has been a close confidant of the Prime Minister, and was critical in working out a strategy for revival of the economy in the wake of global financial turmoil, the agenda of the G-20 Summits and policies aimed at achieving inclusiveness.
In his position in the previous Planning Commission, Dr Ahluwalia was able to generate international interest in the Indian economy and providing protection to it from the global meltdown. India stands tall in the evolution of the new global order and it is well known that Dr Ahluwalia played his part in achieving this. Besides, Dr Ahluwalia was the trusted lieutenant of the Prime Minister in the signing of the Indo-US civil nuclear deal.
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