Distinction between non-Plan, Plan expenditure likely to go

While one of the solutions could be the removal of the Plan, non-Plan distinction, an easier option would be to continue the existing classification with procedural modifications, the paper said.

Even though the Plan, non-Plan accounting distinction has created perverse incentives, distorted outlays and expenditure and generated anomalies at the field level, the underlying logic of identifying and focussing on channeling resources into core infrastructural and social sectors remain, the paper reasoned.

Application of this principle for firming up Plan sizes of states has helped maintain pressure on them to raise resources, it said. The question is whether planning for development can be effected and monitoring done after Plan, non- Plan accounting is abandoned.

Removal of the distinction will imply defining the Plan in terms of budgetary heads of account grouped together in terms of developmental functions for planning and monitoring purposes so that maintenance, upgradation and repair of assets and full staff support can be provided with no pressure to create fresh schemes, the paper said.

It added that the process could be started by including only schemes in which the Plan component is merely extended coverage of an existing programme, that is schemes in which there is no design difference between the Plan and non-Plan account.

Alternatively, the Plan, non-Plan distinction could continue but changes could be introduced to make it

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