New Delhi, Dec 7 (PTI): Opposing the Centre's move to create a new body which would replace the Planning Commission, Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiha today 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 the 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 cannot be created overnight," the Congress leader said in his strongly worded speech.

He said the role and functions of the Planning Commission as envisaged at the time of its constitution are still relevant today.

"In my view, a new forum is not necessary. Presently, the Planning Commission, has been guided by the deliberations of the National Development Council, in which all the chief ministers of the states are also participants," he said.

Siddaramaiah said within this overall framework, Planning Commission has been providing enough space to the states for formulating their state plans.

"By adopting such process, the Commission has largely met the objective of planning in a neutral set up," he said.

The chief minister also criticised the Centre for not holding prior consultations with the states and convening the meeting at a "very short notice".

"Since this meeting has been convened at a very short notice at the level of the chief ministers chaired by the Prime Minister and there having been no prior consultations at the official level, our response is limited to specific ideas floated in the paper," he said.

Siddaramaiah said if any major changes are contemplated, the process of proceeding further may be undertaken only after detailed discussion on the "pros and cons and impact of such change on the federal structure of our polity."

Most CMs favour alternative to Planning Commission: Jaitley

New Delhi, Dec 7 (IANS): Finance Minister Arun Jaitley Sunday said that most chief ministers have favoured replacing the Planning Commission with an alternative structure which has representation from the central government and the states and expert participation also.

Briefing reporters after the meeting of chief ministers called by Prime Minister Narendra Modi to discuss reshaping of the Planning Commission, Jaitley said that most chief ministers were also of the view that the new institution should not be a "merely central government structure".

"Most favoured an alternative structure where the Centre, states and experts participate... A very large majority was in favour of changed structure," he said.

Without naming the Congress or its chief ministers, Jaitley said some chief ministers wanted that revamp should be carried out within the existing body.

"A few, while agreeing with the general principles of change, felt if the present Planning Commission could evolve into that structure," he said.

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee did not attend the meeting and the state was represented by its finance minister.

Jaitley said the meeting was followed by a retreat where the prime minister and chief ministers had "an informal meeting" with no bureaucrats present.

He said there was no specific agenda for the retreat and any issue could be discussed.

Answering a query about the final decision of the government on reshaping the planning panel, Jaitley said it will "take a considered view after consultations are over". He did not specify a time frame.

The minister said there was a large consensus at the meeting that "the context has changed and there is need to decentralise both power and planning".

He said there was also a large consensus that states have to be strengthened. He said most chief ministers felt that there was a fallacy that "one size fits all" and the requirement of each state was different and the states know what suits them the best.

Jaitley said the chief ministers felt that the strategy has to be to empower the states and strengthen federalism.

Most states favoured a system which strengthens their ability to deliver and wanted more flexibility "rather than a controlled and command structure", he said.

He said Banerjee sent a letter to the prime minister favouring decentralisation and strengthening of states. She had also suggested enhancing role of inter-state council and giving it a role in the planning process.

He said the issue of five-year plans will be addressed once the government takes a final decision on reshaping the Planning Commission.

Jaitley also said the prime minister in his remarks at the meeting said that the plan panel would have to reinvent itself to remain more effective and relevant in the present context.

Modi, in his speech, cited his predecessor Manmohan Singh's remarks made in April that the commission has no futuristic vision in the post-reform period.

Modi said the panel should be replaced by an organisation which can strengthen the federal structure and energise states.

According to Modi, the process of policy planning has to change from "top to bottom" to "bottom to top", the finance minister said. "The prime minister also noted that in countries such as the US, think tanks that function independently of the government have a major role in policy-making," he added.

"The prime minister said that when he was chief minister of Gujarat, his heart was with the chief ministers and he had felt the need for a better platform to articulate the view of states," Jaitley said.