By IANS,
Patna: A Planning Commission meeting for eastern region to discuss the approach paper for the next five-year plan began in the Bihar capital Monday, officials said.
“The meeting will discuss the approach paper related to 12th Five Year Plan,” Vijay Prakash, principal secretary for planning and development, said.
The two-day meeting is attended by central Minister of State for Planning Ashwani Kumar, Planning Commission Deputy Chairman Montek Singh Ahluwalia, Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, Orissa Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik, Jharkhand Deputy Chief Ministers Sudesh Mahto and Hemant Soren, West Bengal Planning Minister Manish Gupta, Chattishgarh plan panel vice chairman Shivraj Singh and 200 other delegates.
Officials said the meeting is consultative in nature and each state would give its perspective on targets and challenges for the coming five-year plan (2012-2017).
Nitish Kumar is expected to demand special status for Bihar and seek greater thrust on agriculture and the social sector during the meeting.