Punjab to have detailed master plan to ensure better growth

Chandigarh, Sep 18 (UNI) Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal today directed the Punjab planning department to prepare a detailed state-wide master plan comprising human development indicators, infrastructural development status and productivity factors.

The Chief Minister, while presiding over a meeting regarding formulation of district-level development plans both for rural and urban sectors, said the services of some world class agencies could also be hired to ensure proper planning of Punjab.

He directed the officials concerned to compile the block-level plan that clearly provided data of human resource potential and its utilisation as well as an elaborate study of requirements in physical and economic infrastructure at the primary level.

The Chief Minister also reviewed data in model presentation by Prof Balwinder Singh of Guru Nanak Dev University for Valtoha Block of Tarn Taran district. Mr Badal directed that a similar study be made for all 148 blocks in the state to prepare a comprehensive master plan for the whole state.

He further said district-level planning would be prepared by consolidating information of all blocks that come under that particular district.

He also emphasised on the need to study various factors like agriculture, education, industry and other issues to ensure better economy status for the state.

''Undoubtedly, Punjab is an agrarian-economy state but today, agriculture is facing a great threat due to stagnation and to grow further, the state requires a much-needed industrial revolution,'' Mr Badal said.

He said proper planning in this regard would certainly prove to be a milestone for improving the economic condition of Punjabis.

Likewise, to provide basic amenities like education, health, transport, these studies would be helpful in designing future development programmes.

UNI