The commission was asked by the Prime Minister's Office to suggest areas needing immediate attention. The plan panel's note mentions insurance reforms, the Patents Bill, and legislations pertaining to money laundering and foreign exchange management.

An issue that features prominently in the Planning Commission's note is that of fiscal discipline. Not only the Central but state finances are also in a mess. Unless fiscal profligacy is checked at the earnest and sound policies are initiated, the situation will continue to deteriorate, the commission has said in its note.

The issue of labour laws has also found mention in the note. It has been pointed out in the note that labour legislation has to be modified in the changed economic scenario of the post-liberalisation era. Emphasis has been laid on the provisions to make contract labour easier.

It is to be noted that the prime minister had asked for suggestions prior to the declaration of election results. Interestingly, it was not only the prime minister who was confident of the victory of the National Democratic Alliance but also the plan panel.

The panel had been working almost normally even in the period when the elections were being held in the country.