Annual Plan at Rs 9,000 crore, Montek pats Delhi CM

New Delhi, Mar 5 (UNI) The Annual Plan for Delhi was today given a hefty hike of more than 70 per cent for the year 2007-08, with the plan size being fixed at Rs 9,000 crore.

Last year Delhi's Annual Plan was of the size of Rs 5,200 crore.

The Plan was fixed at a meeting at Yojna Bhavan between Planning Commission Deputy Chairman Montek Singh Ahluwalia and Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit.

Dr Ahluwalia complimented the State government for achievements in diverse areas, particularly in the sectors of infrastructure and education.

He said Delhi being the Capital needs to develop infrastructure comparable to best in the world. As Delhi will be hosting Common-wealth Games in 2010, it would be an opportunity to showcase to the international community that the city was World class.

The State Government also came in for praise for significant improvement in the green cover. The total forest and tree cover which was 151 sq km in 2001 has increased to 268 sq km.

Dr Ahluwalia said the State Government should take lead in promoting the approach of Public- Private partnership. Apart from adopting this approach for developing physical infrastructure, Public- Private partnership should be initiated for projects relating to social sectors.

He said the road network has improved and noted the State government was working out comprehensive plans to improve power supply.

He said the electricity distribution programme by the private sector was a success story.

The State Government was advised to promote rain water harvesting and develop all water bodies on a priority. basis.

Ms Dikshit said the State government has initiated a number of measures aimed at promoting transparent administration through the release of Citizen Charters by all public dealing departments, implementation of Right to Information Act, Public Grievance Commission and application of IT for improvement of services to citizens.

She said major achievements during the Tenth Plan period include completion of first phase of metro, construction of 26 fly-overs and commissioning of first phase of a 330 MW generation plant.

Ms Dikshit said 23 new school buildings and 7000 new classrooms for Delhi government and NDMC schools were constructed.

Besides, during this period nine new hospitals with 1,500 additional beds were established.

The Stamp duty was reduced from 13 to 8 per cent and for women it has been brought down to 6 per cent.

Outlining the future plans, Ms Dikshit said during Eleventh Five Year Plan, housing for economically weaker sections will be taken on top priority. New modes of public transport in addition to new corridors of metro under phase-II will be introduced to provide safe and convenient public transport system.

For the safety of pedestrians, adequate number of subways and foot over bridges will be constructed.

An Interceptor sewerages system will be laid along three major drains at a cost exceeding Rs 3,000 crore.

Ms Dikshit said sewerage system will be provided in all villages and unauthorised colonies being regularised.

High embankment walls would be constructed along major drains to stop damping of waste.

UNI