Tripura's Annual Plan outlay fixed at Rs 804 crore for '07-08

New Delhi, Jan 16 (UNI) The Annual Plan for Tripura for 2007-2008 was finalised here today at Rs 804 crore against the approved outlay of Rs 1,220 crore.

This includes additional Central assistance of Rs 85 crore provided for projects of special importance to the State including infrastructure for Medical College and upgradation of one ITI as Centre of excellence.

The Plan outlay was finalised at a meeting here between Planning Commission Deputy Chairman Montek Singh Ahluwalia and Tripura Chief Minister Manik Sarkar.

Speaking at the meeting, Dr Ahluwalia said Tripura was well performing state and its social and economic indicators were on the right track.

However, he said the state should make judicious use of abundant natural resources, develop infrastructure on priority basis, focus more on agriculture and explore possible areas of diversification.

He also drew attention to the poor performance in the power sector pointing out that transmission losses continued to be high.

The state was also asked to give more focused attention to ICDS programme and VSE sector.

The Planning Commission head complimented the growth in the fishery sector and recommended development of micro finance institutions.

The Chief Minister pointed out that seven sectors have been identified as priority sectors for overall development. These include agriculture and irrigation, drinking water, housing, road connectivity, education, health care and rural electrification.

Despite constraints, public private partnership was being ncouraged in all possible sectors.

Mr Sarkar said Tripura would target for 9 per cent growth rate in GDP during the Eleventh Plan period. Dropout rate of children in elementary education would be reduced to zero per cent while 100 per cent enrolment of primary education would be reached by 2012. During the same period, 100 per cent literacy rate would also be reached.

Regretting the lack of connectivity, the Chief Minister requested the Planning Commission to persuade the Ministries concerned to accelerate development in rail, telecom and road.

He said the state would also work towards equitable improvement in the general standard of living of all sections of the population specially ST/SCs, religious minorities and other backward classes.

Equitable development autonomous council areas would also be taken on priority additional employment opportunities in non-government sectors would be encouraged and efforts would be made to attain self-sufficiency in the production of food-grains and fishery.

UNI