Himachal proposes Rs 3,300 cr annual plan for 2011-12

Shimla, Jan 27 (PTI) The Himachal government has proposedan annual Plan of Rs 3,300 crore for 2011-12, an increase of10 per cent over the current year''s.

Disclosing this during plan discussions with MLAs ofSirmaur and Solan districts for seeking their budgetpriorities here today, Chief Minister P

K Dhumal said thatefforts were being made to design the budget and planallocations in a manner that the priorities of the electedrepresentatives were recognised and accommodated and pace ofdevelopment was accelerated.

Reiterating his Government''s resolve for speedy, balancedand uniform development of the State with socio-economicjustice to all, Chief Minister said that road, education andhealth had been accorded highest priority by the governmentand focus was on the sectors, which had large employment andself-employment generating potential.

Expressing concern over 13th Finance Commissionrecommendations, Dhumal said that it had not taken theliabilities of the state on account of Pay Scales revision,Pension and Interest in the right perspective and given a nonplan revenue grant of Rs 7,888 crore which was much less thanthe grant of Rs 10,202 crore given by the 12th FinanceCommission.

He said that state government had taken up this matterwith the Union Government and sought special centralassistance of Rs 2,500 crore and special plan assistant of Rs1,500 crore for 2011-12.

Dhumal said that for NABARD funding, the StateGovernment has fixed the target of Rs 400 crore for the year2010-11 out of which sanction for schemes amounting to Rs 291crore had been received by the end of December last.

He said that during 2009-10 the State Government spentRs 454 crore under NABARD schemes against the originalsanctioned amount of Rs 400 crore.

Chief Minister also stressed for creation of newresources for development and discouraging unproductiveexpenditure and urged the MLAs to give their valuablesuggestions in this respect.