PC goes Social: Hosts a Google Hangout

In amongst its earliest steps for leveraging social media for citizen engagement and including public opinion, 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 at 5 PM.

This comes close on the heels of the Union Finance Minister, P Chidambaram taking on queries from citizens on budget clarifications recently post the Union Budget declarations.

The hour-long session on Google Hangout will be attended by Dr. Montek Singh Ahluwalia, Deputy Chairman, Planning Commission, 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.

Through this interaction the commission will communicate the 12th Five Year Plan through social media platforms to enhance public participation and citizen engagement.

As per a government release, 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 organizations, 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.

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.

The details of the event are available on www.innovationcouncil.gov.in and the event will be streamed live via www.youtube.com/PlanComIndia on 15th March at 5 PM. More details of the event will be made available via the Twitter handles of Planning Commission (@PlanComIndia) and Mr. Sam Pitroda (@pitrodasam).