Jharkhand annual plan finalised

New Delhi, Feb 21 (UNI) The Annual Plan for Jharkhand for 2007-08 was finalised at Rs 6676 crore.

The annual plan allocation was finalised at a meeting, here today, between the Deputy Chairman Planning Commission, Montek Singh Ahluwalia and the Chief Minister of Jharkhand, Madhu Koda.

Speaking at the meeting the Deputy Chairman, Planning Commission, Ahluwalia said the State needs more focused attention on human development. Faster growth rate was desirable as the state has low per capita income and large number of population was still below the poverty line. Local body elections need to be organised at the earliest so that grants meant for Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs) could be utilised.

The State was also advised to announce its own Relief and Rehabilitation Policy as it would benefit in gaining investor's confidence. The State has to keep in mind environmental constraints while inviting private investments. Strengthening of planning set up, mission on watershed development and identification of flagship schemes for focused attention was recommended.

The Planning Commission offered full support in realisation of State's Plan to integrate forestry and village development.

Performance in AIBP was appreciated. Scope for tourism and industrial development needs to be optimally tapped.

The Chief Minister briefed the Commission on Tenth Plan performance and targets for the Eleventh Plan. He said the focus was on weaker sections of society. Two lakh beneficiaries were included in social security and 108 residential schools for SC and ST were set up. Minor irrigation was on priority. About 74339 hectares of irrigation capacity were created and 43956 hectares of lost potential restored. About 5824 primary schools were upgraded to upper primary level.

He said during the Eleventh Plan the state would pursue a growth target of 9.8 per cent. This would include agriculture growth rate of 6.3 per cent, industry 12 per cent and services 8 per cent.

Thrust areas for the Plan would be agriculture, minor irrigation, energy, roads, education, and health and skill development.

Infrastructure development through PPP would get priority.

UNI