9th Plan Outlay For Bengal Fixed At Rs 16900 Cr

The ninth plan outlay for West Bengal has been fixed at Rs 16,900 crore at 1996-97 prices. This is 82 per cent higher than the states anticipated expenditure for the eighth plan: Rs 9,284.21 crore at 1996-97 prices.

The ninth plan outlay was decided at a meeting between Planning Commission deputy chairman Madhu Dandavate and West Bengal Chief Minister Jyoti Basu yesterday.

The resources for the ninth plan would include central assistance of Rs 5,517 crore, external assistance of Rs 6,878 crore for specified projects, and Rs 4,505 crore from the states own resources.

The central assistance would include funds under basic minimum services, slum development, accelerated irrigation benefit programmes and area programmes.

Speaking on the occasion, Dandavate complimented the state for adopting innovative approach in the social welfare sector.

The deputy chairman appreciated the states efforts with regard to primary education and said the quality of primary education had been improved by giving responsibility to zilla panchayats and village education committees. He, however, drew attention to the deteriorating position of balance from current revenue.

Dandavate said he was eagerly waiting for West Bengals comments on Planning Commissions programme regarding transfer of centrally sponsored schemes to the states, along with funds.

Basu said the plan should have a more pro-poor orientation with special focus on employment generation. He also welcomed the Planning Commissions initiative regarding transfer of centrally sponsored schemes.