"The goal of this plan is to invest in our people to enable them to become active participants in economic growth processes. The plan does not attempt to divide people on the basis of caste, creed or gender or religion," he said just before the National Development Council approved the 11th five year plan document.

Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi had alleged that the Centre had resorted to ‘communal budgeting’ and demanded that there be a review of the Prime Minister's 15-point agenda for minorities. Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chauhan had echoed the sentiment.

The Prime Minister said that it was, however, a reality that there are certain social groups who are relatively badly placed on all developmental indicators. The plan does pays special attention on the needs of these marginalised groups and targets them in a precise manner.