Planning Commission Hosting Google Hangout

The Planning Commission, along with the National Innovation Council, is hosting its first Google Hangout on the 12th Five Year Plan on 15th March 2013. The hour long session on Google Hangout will be attended by Dr. Montek Singh Ahluwalia, Deputy Chairman, Planning Commission, Sh. Sam Pitroda, Chairman, National Innovation Council, Members and the Secretary of the Planning Commission who will answer questions from the public and from a panel invited to attend the Hangout. The aim through this interaction is communicate the 12th Five Year Plan through social media platforms to enhance public participation and citizen engagement.

The Google Hangout takes forward the inclusive process followed by the Commission in formulating the Plan. In formulating the 12th Five Year Plan, the Planning Commission consulted much more widely than ever before, underlining the need for a more inclusive and interactive approach. During this process, inputs were provided by over 950 civil society organisations, multiple business associations, all State Governments, as well as local representative institutions and unions. The Plan has been approved by the National Development Council and the aim now is to share its vision with the country’s citizens.

This is a first step in leveraging social media for engagement on the 12th Five Year Plan and over the next few months, the Planning Commission will publicise the content of the Plan on several other social media channels, including Facebook, Twitter, Google+ and YouTube on which it already has a presence.