Goa annual Plan 2008-09 finalised at Rs 1,737.65 crore

New Delhi, Mar 18 (UNI) The annual plan size for Goa for 2008-09 was today fixed at Rs 1,737.65 crore including additional Central assistance of Rs 35 crore for special assistance projects.

This was decided at a meeting between Planning Commission Deputy Chairman Montek Singh Ahluwalia and Goa Chief Minister Digamber Kamat here.

In his remarks, Mr Ahluwalia said the state had impressive achievements both in the social sector and economy with the latter showing a trend growth of 10 per cent per annum. This showed the state was ready to leap forward to the next stage of development.

He said the state was placing emphasis on public-private partnership in all sectors of infrastructure which was the priority of the government.

Stressing on the need of the government to continue to exploit the opportunities arising from tourism and mining industries, he said more attention should be paid to agro-tourism, agro-processing and organic farming needs to supplement tourism industry and generate employment.

Noting that social indicators of the state such as literacy, birth rate, death rate, infant mortality rate were very impressive, Mr Ahluwalia said even the per capita income of Goa is, not only the highest but, almost three times the average of the country.

While calling on the state government to address the gender gap and high dropout rates, it was complimented for setting up one of the best health care infrastructure including network of hospitals both in urban and rural areas.

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