Taking a cue from the Centre, the Uttar Pradesh government reconstituted the state planning commission and re-named it as State Transformation Commission. The decision was taken in the cabinet meeting here on Tuesday.

“The State Transformation Commission (STC) will be headed by the chief minister while the finance minister, both the deputy CMs, agriculture minister, social welfare minister, panchayati raj development minister, industrial development minister, jal shakti minister and urban development minister will be its members,” Energy Minister AK Sharma said while briefing reporters here on Tuesday.

The deputy chairman of the STC will be an economist or social scientist of fame. Other members include chief secretary, additional chief secretaries and principal secretaries of different departments, including finance. agriculture, rural development, medical and health, industrial development, and planning.

The commission will also have non-govt members, who are experts in the social sector, agriculture and economy. These nominated members will have a term of three years, which can be extended up to two years.

“This commission will act as a think tank and formulate policies after having discussions with experts of different departments. Policy formation is the big work which involves new skills and innovation,” Sharma said, adding that it would also help in making UP a $1-trilion economy.

He said the STC would work with the available resources in the state. The problems that the state is facing will be identified by the commission and ways will be found for resolving the same. Use of the PPP model will also be discussed. The present scheme and their outcome will be evaluated by the commission.

The Planning Commission in UP was set up in 1972 and it helped the state government in formulating policies by identifying need-based areas.