Business & Economy

Planning Commission dissolves
all consultative groups

What is India News Service, Friday, 1 October 2004, 1700 hrs IST

The Planning Commission today dissolved all the panels it had set up for the midterm appraisal of the Tenth Five Year Plan. In a brief statement, the Commission said it would revert to the earlier practice of consulting individuals separately as part of the appraisal process. 

The setting up of the consultative group was a departure from the earlier practice of restricting the appraisal to Government officials. This time, the Commission's Deputy Chairman, Montek Singh Ahluwalia, roped in non-government experts in different disciplines in order to get outside inputs on the way the Tenth Plan, valid for the years 2002 to 2007, had worked so far and what course correction could be attempted to accommodate the priorities of the National Common Minimum Programme of the United Progressive Alliance. 

Also read: The least painful way out

Decision on oil prices deferred till Oct 15: The Manmohan Singh government today asked the oil marketing companies to defer a decision on the revision of retail prices of petrol and diesel till October 15, and directed the public-sector oil firms to share the burden.

Chandrashekar to be new Revenue Secretary: India's Ambassador at the WTO KM Chandrashekar is all set to be made the new Revenue Secretary and Special Secretary SN Menon as Commerce Secretary.

HDFC targets Tier II cities: Retail banking is rapidly growing in India and HDFC Bank has a market share of 10-12 per cent in this segment, said the bank\92s country head for retail banking and auto loans, Mr Neeraj Swaroop, who was in the city yesterday.

Journalists demand new wage board: Mediapersons from various parts of the country today held a demonstration here under the banner of \93National Union of Journalists\94 to protest against the delay in setting up of a new wage board for journalist and non-journalist employees of newspapers.

Agri-clinic concept fails to pick up: The concept of agri-clinics does not seem to be picking up in Punjab with the banks in the state having managed to finance merely one agri-clinic against the target of 170 such clinics for this year. The sole clinic financed this year is in Amritsar district.

IOC commissions pipeline: The IndianOil Corporation (IOC) today commissioned the 160 km-long Panipat-Rewari petroleum production pipeline. The 12-inch diameter pipeline, inaugurated by Director (Pipeline) A.M. Uplenchwar, originating from IndianOil\92s Panipat refinery will distribute petroleum products in the agriculturally rich state of Haryana and parts of the National Capital Region.

Health insurance for poor in bad shape: Health insurance scheme for the poor has been the dream of successive finance ministers. But the scheme has not taken off.

GDP clocks 7.4 pc in Q1: Buoyed by strong performances in the manufacturing and services sector, the GDP clocked a robust 7.4 per cent in the first quarter of the current fiscal (April to June, 2003). 

Gail plans expansion of petrochemical unit: The Gas Authority of India Limited (Gail) today announced its plans to invest Rs 650 crore on expansion of its petrochemical complex at Pata in Uttar Pradesh to achieve economies of scale besides strengthening its overseas portfolio.


Overall:

Planning Commission dissolved all consultative groups: That way, it has addressed the Left's grouse, and also saved face.

Government put off decision on oil price: There will be no hike till October 15.

GAIL announced petro unit: It plans to invest Rs 650 crore on expansion in Uttar Pradesh.