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Chaos in Planning Commission

Annual Plan delayed due to impending downsizing

JAVED MEHMOOD

ISLAMABAD: The intended downsizing in the Planning Commission has delayed the launching of detailed Annual Plan (AP) for 1999-2000, a vital official document that spells out comprehensive development programme across the country, it was learnt.

The Commission had chalked out this plan in November, 1999, and it was further revised in December due to change in government, but could not be finalised amid reports of downsizing in the Planning Commission.

"Since December last, most of the planners and economists in the Commission have been worrying about the impending downsizing and they are showing least interest in the routine work", an official of the Commission said.

He said that every year a detailed Annual Plan is unveiled in the month of November in the light of the actual availability of funds for development projects and this year it may not be announced due to downsizing atmosphere and lack of interest.

Since December, there is chaos in the ranks of the planners and economists as the government has recently abolished 10 posts of economists working in the Economic Advisory Wing (EAW) of the Ministry of Finance while reports are rife about further 'rightsizing' of highly professional economists posts.

More than 100 planners and economists of the Planning Commission from Grade 17 to 22 are working with various ministries, out of which 50 economists are likely to be sent to surplus pool in the coming few weeks, he said.

Sources said that a delegation of the economists is considering to have a meeting with Chief Executive Pervez Musharraf in the next few days to explain to him about abolition of the posts of professionals in the Planning Commission in the name of rightsizing.

Economists and planners have got extensive training within the country and abroad on various issues related to social and economic development issues and their dismissal would be a loss to the country, said an economist.

The Nawaz Sharif government had completely ignored the role of the Planning Commission and wasted huge amounts on politically motivated projects and the tragedy is that this government is also overlooking the importance of the Commission, he added.