Planning Commission finalises Delhi Govt.'s annual plan at Rs 10,000 crores

New Delhi, Aug 21 (ANI): The Delhi Government's annual Plan for 2009-10 was finalised at Rs. 10,000 crores at a meeting here on Friday between Planning Commission Deputy Chairman Montek Singh Ahluwalia and Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit.

Ahluwalia appreciated the State Government for improvements in the infrastructure sector, and said that the State has been registering a robust growth in per capita income.

He also highlighted that achievement in the social sector including health and education has been better in Delhi than many States.

Ahluwalia said that Delhi being the national capital has to be a role model and set example for other States especially in urban service and expressed confidence that preparations for Commonwealth games will be completed in time.

He also complimented State Government for power sector reforms and added that unlike most other States where sector has been privatized, Delhi was showing substantial improvement. It was pointed out that there has been substantial improvement in the transmission and distribution losses.

Ahluwalia further said that the State Government has successfully catered the problems of power sector, and now needs to focus on drinking water supply, which is facing huge major problem.

He said water loss was 45 to 50 per cent, while state has highest water consumption and attention was also drawn to inadequacy of sewage treatment system.

Briefing the Commission on priorities for the current financial year, Dikshit said highest priority will be given to social service and the Government would be spending nearly 56 per cent of its plan budget.

She said in this sector highest allocations have been earmarked for Housing and urban development which will get 15.24 per cent followed by 13.66 per cent for water supply and sanitation.

In view of growing urbanization and high growth in the transport sector an outlay of Rs 3068.76 crore would be kept for the transport sector.

Dikshit further said that all efforts are being made to complete preparations for Common Wealth games in time.

The Chief Minister assured the Commission that preprations for the games were on schedule and sufficient funds are available. (ANI)