Congress- Socialism via Redefinition

THE Approach to the Fifth Plan is scheduled to be finalised at a full meeting of the Planning Commission, to be presided over by the Prime Minister, on October 30. The tone of the new document is expected to be very different from that of the earlier one prepared under the direction of C Subramaniam. The main difference will be in the accent on growth in contrast to the emphasis on a 'frontal attack' on poverty. However, in substance the new document is unlikely to offer anything very new. This is as was to be expected. Those who have been closely associated with the work of formulating successive five-year plans know that the options actually available are always very limited; much of the skill of the planners is, therefore, lavished on presentation.