Gehlot, Alhuwalia finalise Rajasthan 2009-10 plan

New Delhi, Feb.18 (ANI): The Deputy Chairman, Planning Commission, Montek Singh Ahluwalia and Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot met in the national capital on Wednesday and finalized a plan outlay for the desert state worth Rs.17322 crores.

This includes an additional Central assistance of Rs.110 crores provided for projects of special interest to the State.

Complimenting the Rajasthan Government for its efforts at making development more inclusive, Alhuwalia appreciated the investment friendly efforts of the State Government, particularly the encouragement it has given to public/private partnership in development of physical and social infrastructure.

He also lauded the State Government for implementing new initiatives introduced by the Central Government.

Alhuwalia praised the performance in the sectors of transport, tourism, industry and roads, saying it was satisfactory.

He advised the Rajasthan Government to make full use of the JNNURM program in developing tourism related infrastructure.

He said the State Government should bring to the notice of the Planning Commission any relaxation in the guidelines of centrally sponsored programs that it considered necessary for their efficient implementation.

The State Government was also advised to improve agriculture infrastructure and promote crop diversification.

To improve water supply, Alhuwalia urged Rajasthan to focus on water use efficiency and rainwater harvesting.

Attention was also drawn to high transmission and distribution losses in the power sector.

In the education sector, the Planning Commission suggested focus on upper primary level to increase enrollment and reduce student dropouts. The need to promote tourism because of the immense potential was also suggested.

Gehlot appreciated the new initiatives of UPA Government, which he said have helped States to improve their fiscal health and making development more inclusive.

He said focus of his government was to reach the benefits of growth to the disadvantaged sections of society.

He said various central initiatives meant for the states needed review.

He said central support to each household under the Indira Awas Yojana and the JNNURM for construction of houses needs to be increased.

He said the State government had incurred high delivery cost because of geographical conditions and this should be kept in mind while deciding central support to the State. (ANI)