Retain planning commission: CM Siddaramaiah

Bengaluru: Opposing the Centre's move to create a new body which would replace the Planning Commission, Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah said there is no merit or justification in the decision to dismantle the existing one created six decades ago.

Speaking at a Chief Ministers' meet convened by Prime Minister Narendra Modi to discuss the proposal, he said the Commission in its work has adapted to the changed economic environment and reoriented itself to meet the objectives of economic growth, infrastructure and planned development. "I wonder why we need a new institution to do what is already being done by the existing one. The allure for the new must not sway us from appreciating the worth of what we have, and improving it," Siddaramaiah said.

Conceding that in the fast-changing and globalised world, planning and implementation must be faster, he, however, said, "I do not subscribe to the view to dismantle an institution that has stood the test of time. “Any institution of excellence can be easily disbanded with the stroke of a pen but can’t be created overnight," the Congress leader said.