Haryana's 08-09 plan outlay at Rs 6,650 cr

New Delhi, Feb 25 (UNI) The Annual Plan size for Haryana for the year 2008-09 was finalized today at a meeting between the Planning Commission Deputy Chairman Montek Singh Ahluwalia and Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda at Rs 6,650 crores.

This includes onetime additional Central assistance of Rs 100 crores provided for specific projects of special interest to the State, said a statement.

In his comments on the performance of the State, Mr Ahluwalia said the State has been achieving excellent growth rate and overall performance of the State is much above expectations.

During tenth plan period, the state achieved growth of nine per cent against the target of 7.9 per cent.

Accordingly, the Planning Commission has fixed ambitious target of 11 per cent for the Eleventh plan.

He said per capita income of the State is much above national average.

Mr Ahluwalia said the policy initiatives clubbed with the efforts to improve infrastructure has helped in creating investment friendly environment.

Central Government's initiatives of providing freight corridor link and National Highway connectivity to the State would further improve its status as favorite investment destination.

The State was also advised to improve private sector participation in development of new townships, reduce transmission and distribution losses and encourage social forestry.

On fiscal performance the State government was complimented for bringing down fiscal deficit within FRBM targets and transforming it to revenue surplus State.

Expenditure realisation during Tenth Plan period was expected to be more than 100 per cent with anticipated expenditure for the Plan reported at Rs 12,675.70 crores against approved outlay of Rs 12,000 crores.

Briefing the Commission on the development strategy, the Chief Minister pointed out that besides additional resource mobilisation measures, efforts are on to further improve social sector performance and number of initiatives have been taken to benefit those who have not fully realised fruits of development.

He said luxury tax was being levied on premium hotel and banquet halls and stamp duty rates for registration of sale of properties have been rationalised.

To improve quality of education, Mr Hooda said compulsory computer education is being introduced in secondary schools and Edusat Network has been extended in all schools in the State.

Special package for institutional deliveries has been introduced to reduce IMR/MMR in SC women. Health institutions are being modernised and up-graded to meet Indian public health standards.

He said sprinkle irrigation was being popularised to ensure optimum utilisation of scarce water and sought subsidy enhancement to promote this effort.

Ground water recharge through tube wells in depleting water zones and restoration of old water bodies was being taken on priorities.

Industrial promotion Act has been enacted to provide single window time-bound clearance and new labour policy has been put in place to facilitate private investment. Investments of Rs 28,000 crores have already been made while another Rs 60,000 crores are in the pipeline.

Mr Hooda said tax incentives for industries in Aravali, Mewat and Shivalik regions of the State should be at par with hill States.

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