Mizoram's annual plan up by 12 per cent

Aizawl, March 1 (UNI) Mizoram government has already initiated the proposal of Rs 850 crore for the annual plan for 2007-08, which is about 12 per cent higher than the current fiscal outlay.

Planning department officials said here today that the proposal was finalised at a meeting between Chief Minister Zoramthanga and Planning Commission's Deputy Chairman Montek Singh Ahluwalia last week.

The commission has suggested that the state government give priority to natural resource management and empowerment of women, officials said, adding that dairy farming and agriculture research needs to be encouraged as well.

They also stated that the commission appreciated the state's progress in road transport, power, education and health sectors over the past couple of years.

''Over 94 per cent of the villages have road connectivity and 98.6 per cent have been provided with electricity. The expenditure during the tenth plan was also good,'' the Commission pointed out.

The Commission was informed that Mizoram had been pursuing a comprehensive fiscal reform policy, which included the revision of user charges and duties as well as cost-cutting measures to reduce expenditure, sources added.

Mizoram has emphasised on reduction of power transmission and distribution loss, improvement of rural connectivity, providing safe drinking water during the 11th five-year plan while education, bamboo processing and health sectors would get priority.

UNI