PM looks at Infosys chief Nilekani for Plan panel

In a move that will for the first time involve India Inc in economic policy-making,Prime Minister Manmohan Singh plans to get Nandan Nilekani,Co-Chairman,Infosys Technologies,as a member in the Planning Commission.

Sources said Montek Singh Ahluwalia is set to be the Deputy Chairman of the Plan panel. Abhijeet Sen,an agriculture expert,and B K Chaturvedi,former Cabinet Secretary,are likely to be retained as members. When contacted,Nilekani,who is currently in Zurich told The Indian Express: I am not aware. I do not think it is happening.

But sources said Singh zeroed in on Nilekani after considering names such as former Nasscom president Kiran Karnik and National Knowledge Commission chief Sam Pitroda.