Rs 1,660 cr annual plan for Manipur finalised

New Delhi, Jan 21 (UNI) The annual plan for Manipur for 2008-09 was today finalised at Rs 1,660 crore, including a special plan assistance of Rs 550 crore for special projects, at a meeting between Planning Commission Deputy Chairman Montek Singh Ahluwalia and Chief Minister Okram Ibobi Singh.

Assuring that fund constraints would not hamper progress in development, Dr Ahluwalia said the Commission will ensure timely release of funds to the state. The state was further asked to step up power sector reforms and performance in execution of the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sarak Yojana.

He pointed out that the Planning Commission was focusing on infrastructure development of roads and power, education, health services and job creation.

The Chief Minister's attention was drawn to the fall in allocation to social services and high incidence of HIV cases in the state.

Mr Idobi Singh highlighted the state government's efforts to raise food-grain production to reduce food deficit, expand horticulture area and improve processing facilities, increase per capita income to all India level and electrification of all villages by 2010-11.

He said to improve infrastructure a sum of Rs 800 crores was proposed in next year's budget. He sought the Planning Commission's support in early completion of the Jiribam-Tupul-Imphal railway line, upgradation of NH-39 and creation of additional capacity for food storage and petroleum product storage in the state.

UNI SD MP RN2010