Arunachal Pradesh's annual plan finalised at Rs 2065 crore

New Delhi, Feb 26 (UNI) The Annual Plan for Arunachal Pradesh for the year 2008-09 was today finalized at Rs 2065 crores, with the Plan Panel advising the state government to explore innovative means of garnering resources.

The plan size was fixed at a meeting between Planning Commission Deputy Chairman Montek Singh Ahluwalia and Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Dorjee Khandu at the Yojna Bhavn here.

Mr Ahluwalia said focused attention needs to be given for the development of horticulture, floriculture, tourism and power generation. He said the State needs to have a medium term policy to exploit available hydro potential as it will substantially add to State resources.

It was pointed out that inadequate transport infrastructure was a major constraint in the development efforts. Efforts to involve private sector in providing health services and education was appreciated.

The State should take advantage of Central programmes in improving horticulture and skill development. Vast natural resources, particularly enormous hydro power potential, oil and natural gas and tourism offer a strong advantage to transform this strategically located State into one of the richest State in the country. It should also work on rich heritage of traditional handlooms&handicrafts.

The Chief Minister said that efforts were being made to improve resources and given transparent administration to the people. He said a number of new initiatives are being planned but resource constraint is a major bottleneck. He sought Planning Commission's help in changing the guidelines for Centrally Sponsored Schemes so as to enable to the State to execute them.

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