Rs 14,000 cr for TN for 2007-08 Plan

New Delhi, Feb 5 (UNI) The 2007-08 Annual Plan of Tamil Nadu was today pegged at Rs 14,000 crore, including an additional central assistance of Rs 200 crore provided for projects of special assistance to the state.

The plan was finalised at a meeting between Planning Commission Deputy Chairman Montek Singh Ahluwalia and Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M Karunanidhi.

Mr Ahluwalia complimented the State for all-round development with focused attention on growth with equity and social justice. He said the State has been successfully implementing public private partnerships in various sectors.

Efforts in rural electrification and improving connectivity are commendable. The State has become a hub of industrial development in IT servicing and automobile parts.

It was pointed out that skill development should be given more emphasis to match growing demands especially in the sectors of tourism, manufacturing and services.

Attention was also drawn to low growth rate during Tenth Plan period. Recommending more judicious and scientific use of natural resources, the Commission pointed out that affective harnessing of water resources along with shift in the cropping pattern should be given priority during the Eleventh Plan period.

The Commission recommended that textile and leather machinery manufacturing needs special attention as it would facilitate the States textile and leather industry to expand activities.

Performance in health sector specially declining trend in the reported cases of HIV/AIDS was appreciated.

Mr Karunanidhi thanked the Planning Commission for extending full support in Tsunami Relief Programme.

He said it has helped the State Government to take up 22,000 houses under Rajiv Gandhi Package. On priorities during the Eleventh Plan period for which an outlay of Rs.80,000 crores has been earmarked, he said agriculture would get top priority.

He requested Planning Commission to ensure Central funding for the peninsular component of inter-linking of rivers project during Eleventh Plan period. He said the programme would help State in revitalising agriculture and benefit millions.

Mr Karunanidhi sought Central Government support in implementing the scheme to provide households with gas-stove and free gas connection.

He said the scheme was aimed at improving health of women and preserving environment and forest cover. He pointed out that the State would hardly benefit from Bharat Nirman as it is already advanced in rural electrification, water supply and roads etc.

The Chief Minister was of the opinion that National Rural Employment Guarantee programme should be extended to all districts of Tamil Nadu.

Pointing out that only six districts were benefiting from backward region grant fund, he suggested inclusion of composite Dharamapuri District in the list.

Mr Karunanidhi urged the Planning Commission to consolidate the Centrally sponsored schemes and make them more flexible so that States can tailor them to their specific requirement.

He said Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan should be expanded to cover secondary education and Central assistance for rural housing should be substantially enhanced.

UNI