1.     The main functions of the Department are formulation and preparation of Five Year Plans, Annual Plans and other specific developmental Plans like NEC, Non-Lapsable Central Pool of Resources, Border Area Development Programme, District Level Planning, Servicing of State Planning Board, matters relating to MPLADS, MLALADS, Monitoring and review of implementation of State Planning Schemes etc.

2.     It is proposed to develop an effective system for monitoring the implementation of Plan schemes and programmes, so that feedback from the same could be used for time to time correction of sectoral strategy and removal of bottleneck in implementation. It is also proposed to undertake large computerization of the functioning of the Planning Department to accomplish speed and accuracy in the matter of compilation of reports and returns, monitoring of implementation, regular processing of data of various departments and their analysis. Towards this end, developing of monitoring and other software will be undertaken. For preparation of various studies, sectoral strategies, field investigations and surveys, established professional consultant will be engaged wherever necessary along with review and evaluation of ongoing programmes of critical importance in the Planning process.

3.     The work of the Planning Department is staff oriented. As per the instructions and guidelines of the Planning Commission, a systematic effort has been made to strengthen the State Planning Machinery and District Planning Machinery. Support against those two schemes has been discontinued by the Planning Commission from the 1st Year of 9th Plan. Full requirement for the Planning Machinery is thus now provided under State Plan.

4.     The State Government has taken the initiative of strengthening the Planning Department. As a first step, the department has been bifurcated into two technical wings during 2007-08 which are headed by (i) Director (Planning) and (ii) Director (State Plan). The Director (State Plan) is looking after all matters relating to State Plan and Director (Planning) is looking after the Micro – Planning Division (MLALADS/MPLADS/BADP/RIDF/Untied Fund//Twenty Point Programme) and the Project Division  (NEC/NLCPR/Training) besides all administrative and establishment matters of the department. 

5.     The District Planning Units, attached to the office of the Deputy Commissioners, are headed by the District Planning Officers (DPOs).

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