Himachal annual plan fixed at Rs 3,300 crore

Himachal Pradesh’s annual plan for the next financial year has been approved for Rs 3,300 crore by the Planning Commission.

Social service sector has been given top priority and gets an outlay of over 29 per cent.

The Transport and Communication sector has been accorded over 19 per cent of the Plan size.With very little rail and air network, the state government has given high priority to this key sector, a spokesman of the state government said.

Rich in hydro-electric power, the energy sector has been given the third largest allocation with a mix of public and private sector participation in hydro-power development.

Agriculture and allied activities has also been given added priority with almost 12 per cent of the plan outlay. This is almost double of the national average.

After meeting Planning Commission Deputy Chairman Montek Singh Ahluwalia, the state Chief Minister P K Dhumal on late Tuesday in New Delhi said despite repeated requests by the state government to do away with the injustice meted out by the 13th Finance Commission nothing, has been done so far in this matter.

“The state already has suffered on account of fewer grants recommended by the 13th Finance Commission. Besides, the state is not being allowed to borrow according to the limit worked out on fair formulation,” Dhumal said.

According to the calculations given by the state to the ministry of finance and planning commission, Dhumal said the borrowing ceiling for the next financial year works out to Rs 2,034 crore and urged for a quick addressing of the issue.