Rs 12,011 cr Annual Plan for MP approved

New Delhi, Feb 24 (UNI) The Planning Comission today approved a plan size of of Rs 12,011 crore for Madhya Pradesh towards the Annual Plan for 2007-08, registering an increase of 33 per cent compared to the previous year, according to Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan.

The previous plan size for Annual Plan 2006-07 for the state stood at Rs 9,000 crore, the Chief Minister told media persons after a two hour long meeting with Planning Commission Deputy Chairman Montek Singh Ahluwalia.

Describing it as a historic jump in the plan size, Mr Chouhan said he was satisfied with the Plan size approved for his State and was confident that it would pave the way for speedy development of the State.

The state would lay special emphasis on development of agriculture, irrigation, health and education, he said.

As for the Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan, the Chief Minister felt that the ratio of expenditure on this score should be 75 per cent by the Centre and 25 per cent by the state. He wanted additional funds for expenditure on education front.

Mr Ahluwalia, who was also present, said this plan size approved would serve as "a good beginning" for the first year of the 11th Plan. A significant increase had been made in the Central schemes for the state, like in education and National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme.

If the State sought flexibility in the implementation of these schemes, these shortcomings would be removed in the 11th Plan.

Mr Ahluwalia said implementation was slack in certain areas like in health and education but the State had layed stress in social sectors, agriculture and irrigation. The State had shown ambitious targets in certain areas which should be achieved.

UNI