TN annual plan outlay at Rs 16,000 cr

Chennai, Feb 11 (UNI) The Planning Commission has fixed the annual plan outlay for Tamil Nadu for 2008-09 at Rs 16,000 crore, up from Rs 14,000 crore in 2007-08.

In an official release here tonight, Chief Minister M Karunanidhi said the outlay was decided at a meeting between Planning Commission Deputy Chairman Montek Singh Ahluwalia and Tamil Nadu Finance Minister K Anbazhagan.

The Commission initially proposed an outlay of Rs 15,500 crore.

However following a request from Tamil Nadu to hike the allocation to achieve XI Plan targets, the plan size was hiked to Rs 16,000 crore.

During the meeting, Mr Anbazhagan demanded more funds from the Union Government for various schemes, including Chennai Metro Rail Project and inter-linking of rivers in the State.

Expressing happiness over the implementation of various Plan Schemes, Dr Ahluwalia also appreciated the State for implementing various social welfare schemes for the benefit of women and children and attracting investments in industry, said the release quoting the Chief Minister who could not attend the meeting at New Delhi due to indisposition.

UNI GM JT PM0000