Prime Minister of India - Dr. Manmohan Singh

PM chairs Planning Commission meeting on Agriculture, Power and Education

The Prime Minister chaired a meeting of the Planning Commission to review issues pertaining to Agriculture, Power and Education. The Prime Minister advised the Planning Commission to come forward with State-wise strategies for agricultural development. He said he would discuss these with the Union Minister for Agriculture and with State Chief Ministers and, if required, visit States to personally review agricultural development initiatives.

The Prime Minister also reviewed implementation of the National Rural Employment Guarantee Programme and Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan. He urged the Planning Commission to closely monitor the implementation of these programmes along with concerned Ministries and State Governments. The Prime Minister said "NREGA is one of our most important initiatives. We are increasing its coverage. It is essential that this programme is implemented effectively. Hence a systematic evaluation of its implementation till now is necessary to ensure that the programme delivers on its promises."

The Prime Minister expressed concern at the slow pace of power sector development and reform. He urged the Planning Commission to think boldly and come forward with ideas that can be discussed with State Governments. The Prime Minister also urged the Planning Commission to come forward with new ideas on vocational education and modernization of education. The Prime Minister said the Planning Commission should function as a think tank, enabling exchange of ideas between Ministries, between Centre and States and between Government and civil society.

The Prime Minister also suggested that Planning Commission should be pro-active in studying the issue of climate change and global warming and suggest strategies to deal with the challenge.

A full meeting of the Planning Commission is scheduled for April, 2007. The National Development Council is scheduled to meet on 29th May, 2007, to discuss issues pertaining to agricultural development.