Jharkhand annaul plan for 2008-09 finalised at Rs 8015 cr

New Delhi, Feb 8 (UNI) The Planning Commission today finalised the plan outlay of Jharkhand for 2008-09 at Rs 8015 crore.

The plan size, that was finalised at a meeting held here between Deputy Chairman Planning Commission Montek Singh Ahluwalia and Jharkhand Chief Minister Madhu Koda, also includes additional Central assistance of Rs 50 crores for projects of special interest to the State, an official statement said.

Mr Ahluwalia appreciated the efforts of the State Government for improving the pace of the development in the state.

He said plan expenditure for the current year was much better than the previous years and efforts should be expedited to further improve pace of development with focused attention of human development.

Since the economy of the state was characterised by higher incidence of poverty, unemployment and low per capita income, higher attention and allocation to social sector development was needed.

He said the State Government should take benefit from the new schemes being introduced by the Central Government which are aimed at making growth more inclusive.Allocations to new initiatives like AIBP, Food Security&Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana is likely to be improved and States should make advance preparations to operationalise them, Mr Ahluwalia said.

In view of natural potential for horticulture and floriculture, the State was advised to take optimum advantage of national horticulture mission and establish marketing network, he said.

Mr Ahluwalia pointed out that development of physical infrastructure should be expedited for rapid industrialization of the State.

Briefing the Commission on the performance of the State, Mr Koda said that the State Government had embarked on overhauling the processes and systems with a view to make delivery systems more effective, transparent, responsive and cost effective.

ICT tools and new delivery models including PPP were being encouraged. Villages were being empowered and processes being simplified. Efforts were on improve human development index, he said.

Higher allocations are being made to social services. Over 38 per cent of outlay is being ear-marked to social service which includes 13.24 per cent to education, Mr Koda said.

He sought Planning Commission's intervention in seeking additional support from Centre for up-gradation of highways, expedite environment clearance of irrigation projects and free power to host states where pithead thermal power projects are planned.

UNI MP AK DB2018