Final report on XI Plan in May: Official

Coimbatore, Feb 13 (UNI) Tamil Nadu Planning Commission Vice Chairman M Naganathan today said the final recommendations on the XI Plan will be submitted to the government during May.

After a review meeting with officials here, Dr Naganathan said the Commission will give more importance to agriculture as land used for cultivation was shrinking with food production stagnating.

Asked if free schemes announced by the government would hinder development, Dr Naganathan said about 1.4 crore people were living below the poverty line in the state and the administration had the duty to ensure their economic progress.

On labour shortage in the sector, he said even in the US only two per cent of the population was employed in agriculture. The demand supply gap could be bridged by increased mechanisation.

UNI