Monday, May 15 2006 10:40 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

New Delhi: Differences within the Planning Commission on public investment and corporates' participation for rural development has delayed the Approach Paper for 11th Plan by over five months even as Deputy Chairman Montek Singh Ahluwalia sought to play it down by blaming it on rising international oil prices.

"There are seven independent professionals (Members) who have put forward significant suggestions and substantive views have been presented by them. If there were no differences than what is the point of a discussion? But there are no differences as such," Ahluwalia told sources.

"We all have the same goal, it is just that the ways to get there could be different. It is an issue of balance and priority as we seek to strike a higher growth rate (in the next Plan)," he said.

On the delay, he said "I will not say it was long overdue. I thought it would have been ready this April. But as the Paper deals with specific and significant issues like gearing the country for a higher growth rate, infrastructure development and restricting, it is a major task. We also have to factor in the impact of rising oil prices".

He said internal meetings were on to discuss the impact of oil prices on growth in 11th Plan period, which would be reflected in the Paper.

Sources said Members and Ahluwalia were unable to arrive at a consensus about public investment for rural development including infrastructure and role of big corporate who would not like to invest in rural projects.

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh had said at the National Development Council meeting in June 2005 that the Paper would be before the Cabinet by December 2005.