MP annual plan finalised at Rs 14,182.61 crore

New Delhi, Mar 25 (UNI) The annual plan for Madhya Pradesh for 2007-08 was today fixed at Rs 14,182.61 crore including a one-time additional Central assistance of Rs 150 crore on projects of special interest to the state.

This was decided at a meeting between Planning Commission Deputy Chairman Montek Singh Ahluwalia and Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan.

Mr Ahluwalia said the state needed to have more attention on human development. Social sector needed priority and efforts should be made to improve the human development index and create a investor friendly environment.

Asking the state government to avail benefits available under various social sector schemes, he said the state should improve its performance in various programmes under the 'Bharat Nirman' scheme with priority given to Bundelkhand area. He mentioned the power sector saying that higher growth rate in the Eleventh Plan could be constrained due to power shortage.

Mr Chouhan in his reply informed that the thrust areas of the state's development policy was to eliminate hunger, malnutrition and abject poverty.

He said efforts were on to reduce dependence on agriculture in rural areas by giving priority to allied areas. Livelihood opportunities would be created though generation of economic activities based on natural resources.

The state government was working to facilitate investments and create social and physical infrastructure, the Chief Minister added.

UNI SD BJR KN2020