Naveen to meet Montek to finalise Odisha Plan size

To reiterate demand for special category tag

The Plan size of Odisha for 2013-14 is set to be finalised on Tuesday after a meeting between Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik and Montek Singh Ahluwalia, deputy chairman of Planning Commission, in New Delhi.

"Tomorrow, I'll be having a meeting with the deputy chairman of Planning Commission regarding finalisation of Plan size for Odisha. I will also be reiterating our demand for special category status for the state," said Patnaik before leaving for New Delhi.

The draft Plan size for this fiscal has been pegged at Rs 21,467 crore, 24.44 per cent higher than Rs 17,250 crore for 2012-13. The most of this spending has been allocated to sectors like agriculture, roads, irrigation, energy, and social welfare and SC & ST development. Annual Plan allocations of Odisha have been substantially enhanced from Rs 5,520 crore in 2007-08 to Rs 17,250 crore in 2012-13.

In the 11th Plan (2007-12), the state government spent Rs 44,290.16 crore against the approved outlay of Rs 43,820 crore. Sectors such as energy, industry, steel and mines, transport, science & technology, social services and general services registered more than 100 per cent spending in 2007-12. Patnaik will also attend the conference of state chief ministers on internal security on June 5.

"During this meeting, I'll place our demand for supporting anti-Naxal operations. I would also request the Union home ministry to expedite Presidential assent for Odisha Protection of Interests of Depositors (in Financial Establishment) - 2011 in the interest of small depositors," Patnaik said.