Modi may replace central planning with "Team India"

New Delhi

INDIAN Prime Minister Narendra Modi held a brainstorming session on Sunday on replacing Soviet-style central planning with a "Team India" concept that would give federal states a greater role in developing Asia's third-largest economy.

Although he won a huge election mandate in May, the writ of Mr Modi's government is weak as most the majorityof India's 29 states are controlled by his opponents. That has led him to seek their help in implementing his growth and jobs agenda. "It is impossible for the nation to develop unless states develop," Mr Modi told a meeting with chief ministers in New Delhi. "The process of policy planning also has to change from 'top to bottom' to 'bottom to top'."