Sir,

With reference to your editorial "Plan Sans Targets" (14th) you have observed, "this perhaps rules out expansion in the plan size. In fact, it calls for a contraction. But surely they must grapple with the merging reality and marshall the trade-offs in objectives that will determine the pattern of resource allocation". The real objection to present planning is that amounts allocated in the scheme do not reach the poor and needy persons and the planning does not provide involvement of the people by contribution of labor and moneys.

The black money report submitted by the Commission has reported to have observed that only 20 percent to 30 percent of the moneys earmarked for the government schemes is reaching to the poor and has observed that government moneys on the Schemes have become one of the biggest source of generating black money. Mr. Rajiv Gandhi has also admitted during the election meeting that only 15 per cent of the Scheme money reach to the poor.

Above facts clearly show that 70 percent to 85 per cent of moneys earmarked in schemes is distributed among bureaucracy, politicians and middlemen. As the meeting was presided by the Prime Minister, it would have been better if the commission had considered the ways and means to implement the scheme in such a way so that substantial amount of moneys earmarked for schemes reach the poor. The future planning should involve the contribution of labour and/or moneys by people. The schemes can be also implemented through recognised charitable institutions who are really devoted to social work and also through cadre of full time paid devoted workers. The tax-payer should be assured that moneys which they have paid are well utilised.

VASANT J. DESAI
AHMEDABAD.

DATE : 01/03/1990.
TIMES OF INDIA.