HP Budget Plan fixed at Rs 2,400 cr

Shimla, Feb 15 (UNI) The Himachal Pardesh Government has fixed its Annual Plan for 2008-09 at Rs 2,400 crore which is Rs 300 crore higher in comparison to the last year's Annual Plan.

Stating this here today an official spokesman of the state government said, ''The Annual Plan for 2008-09 is formulated keeping in view the welfare of every section of society and region of the state.'' The Spokesman said the Government was giving top priority to roads, education, drinking water supply, social welfare and health sectors.

A provision of Rs 818 crore has been made for the social sector in the plan budget while the government has allocated Rs 132.34 crore for strengthening health services in the State, he said.

He said that Rs 302.52 crore has been allocated for education sector in the plan against Rs 297.13 crore during last year annual plan he added.

''Rs 252 crore has been kept under agriculture sector as about 92 percent population of the state is dependent directly and indirectly on agriculture,'' he said adding that ''The government is encouraging the farmers to bring diversification in agriculture and to adopt modern techniques of farming.'' He said that Rs 296 crore were kept for irrigation and flood control measures as compared to Rs 260 crore last year.

For development of rural areas, the National Rural Employment Guarantee scheme will be introduced from April 1, 2008 in the entire state under which 100 days assured employment to eligible persons will be provided in a year.

He said that for strengthening the rural economy, the State Government has allocated Rs 116.67 crore for this sector.

The government has allocated Rs 329 crore for the power sector as against Rs 159 crore of last year plan which was more than Rs 170 crore, he said, adding that the government would ensure that 70 per cent employment avenues would be provided to Himachalis in all power projects.

The spokesman said that development of roads being the priority agenda, the state government has allocated Rs 374 crore in the Annual Plan.

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