The Hindu Business Line : Punjab Plan fixed at Rs 3,550 cr

THE Annual Plan of Punjab for 2005-06 has been fixed at Rs 3,550 crore inclusive of an additional Central assistance of Rs 50 crore for schemes and projects of priority to the State.

The Planning Commission's Deputy Chairman, Dr Montek Singh Ahluwalia, and the Chief Minister Capt Amarinder Singh, decided the Plan size for the next fiscal year here at a meeting held in Yojana Bhawan. While complimenting the State for maintaining good social indicators despite long spell of disturbance, the Deputy Chairman of the Plan panel said the commission was fully conscious of the impact of disturbances on economic growth. He said the Prime Minister would be briefed about the problems being faced by the State.

Stating that Punjab has the potential to become a role model for development for the rest of the country, Dr Ahluwalia said the State should evolve policies aimed at bringing about structural changes and a shift in the cropping pattern through corporate farming and public-private partnership in reconstruction/modernisation of physical infrastructure. The plan panel also drew the attention of the State to declining contribution of agriculture to the State's gross domestic product. It was stated that financial restructuring, tariff rationalisation and infusion of competition among service providers was needed to achieve desired results. Restructuring Punjab Roadways with public-private partnership was recommended.

Briefing the Planning Commission, the Chief Minister said the farmers were being persuaded to diversify the crop production pattern away from the rice-wheat rotation. He pleaded for hiking the Nabard refinance limits from 35 per cent to 75 per cent. He said in five to six years time the State will have power generation of 45,000 MW and by June all 11 KV line would be metered.

The Chief Minister also sought change in the criteria for allocation of funds for poverty programmes.

Article E-Mail :: Comment :: Syndication :: Printer Friendly Page