Annual Plan size fixed at Rs 4,775 crore in U'khand

The Planning Commission has approved the annual Plan outlay for Uttarakhand for the year 2008-09 at Rs 4,775 crore, officials here said today.

The Plan was approved at a meeting between Deputy Chairman Planning Commission Montek Singh Ahluwalia and Chief Minister BC Khanduri last evening at New Delhi.

Last year, the Plan size was Rs 4,378 crore. This includes additional Central assistance of Rs 300 crore for infrastructure needed for Kumbh Mela at Haridwar and the coming SAF Winter Games and other projects of special interest to the State.

Commenting on the performance of the State, Ahluwalia said that the growth rate was good and even the Plan expenditure during the Tenth Plan was encouraging, but per capita income remained rather low.

However, the poverty level was much higher than those at the all-India level or in Himachal Pradesh in both rural and urban areas, he said. "This shows that topmost priority should be given to creating livelihood opportunities," he added.

He said appreciable achievements have been reached in the tourism sector during the Tenth Plan period and needs to be carried forward as the State has an immense potential for becoming a world-class tourist centre. The State offers all types of tourism like pilgrimage, cultural, adventure, wildlife and eco-tourism. To develop high-value tourism, the State should focus on developing adequate infrastructure facilities at the destinations and circuits, Ahluwalia said.

On industrial policy, he pointed out that the policy seemingly was driven by subsidy. Efforts should be made to have a comprehensive plan of action for identified industries. Benefits of concessions should reach far-flung areas.

Briefing the Commission on the pace of development, Khanduri said the emphasis would continue on the social sector and this is clearly reflected in both the Eleventh Plan and the Annual Plan proposal.

He said over 37 per cent of Plan outlay would be earmarked for social services. He said efforts are on to further accelerate development of infrastructure and for this purpose, four projects are being executed through external aid.

Khanduri said that the Centre should supplement efforts to bring Uttarakhand at par with other developed States.

He said the tax holiday period should be extended up to 2013 to keep up the present pace of industrialisation in the state. He also sought Central support in tackling problem of silting of dams.