Rs 1,750 cr for Puducherry Plan: Commission

New Delhi, Feb 18 (UNI) The Plan outlay for the Union Territory of Puducherry was finalised today at Rs 1,750 crore for 2008-09.

The decision was taken at a meeting between Planning Commission Deputy Chairman Montek Singh Ahluwalia and Chief Minister N Rangaswamy.

Mr Ahluwalia complimented the Union Territory for growth in the manufacturing and service sectors. However the GSDP growth rate is less than the national average. Focus should be on improving utilization of resources.

The State was also appreciated for its efforts aimed at promoting tourism and involving private sector. Human development indices are better than the national average.

It was felt the performance in the health and education sector was satisfactory. The Commission offered non-lending technical assistance for procuring Master Plan on tourism development. The State was advised to rationalize subsidy and encourage rainwater harvesting. Attention was also drawn to coastal erosion.

Mr Rangaswamy said that the Eleventh Plan will focus on social sector development with allocations stepped up for up-gradation of rural roads, better drinking water supply, slum up-gradation, primary&secondary education, primary health care services and public distribution system.

He said infrastructure facilities were being improved to attract investment for industrial development, tourism and IT related industries. Natural resource based integrated farming system model with crop diversification and livestock integration would be promoted.

UNI SN SY RK1928