11th Plan approach document to be placed before NDC in Sept

Bangalore, Aug 1 (UNI) The approach document for the 11th five-year plan, laying stress on inclusiveness of growth in all sectors, will be discussed at the National Development Council meeting in September, Planning Commission Deputy Chairman Montek Singh Ahluwalia said today.

Speaking to newspersons after a half an hour interaction with Karnataka Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy, he said the need of the hour was to create urban infrastructure and the Centre and States should concentrate on this aspect so that the metros were decongested. The plan, to come into force from April next, also laid more stress on agriculture, education and health, he added.

Mr Ahluwalia said he had been advising various State Governments about reducing non-plan expenditure and keeping it under control, failing which it would become difficult to raise resources.

He hoped that the Pay Commission, to be appointed as yet, would give sensible recommendations so that it would be realistic in nature. Pay hike recommendations once in ten years was not a difficult task to absorb, he felt.

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