The Hindu Business Line : AP Annual Plan outlay fixed at Rs 15,650 cr

The Chief Minister, Dr Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy, along with State Finance Minister, Mr K. Rosaiah, with the Deputy Chairman of the Planning Commission, Mr Montek Singh Ahluwalia, at Yojna Bhawan in New Delhi on Thursday. - Rajeev Bhatt

New Delhi , April 7

THE annual Plan outlay for Andhra Pradesh for the year 2005-06 has been pegged at Rs 15,650.77 crore. This was finalised here on Thursday at a meeting between the Deputy Chairman of the Planning Commission, Mr Montek Singh Ahluwalia, and the Chief MinisterDr Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy.

The Plan outlay includes one-time Central assistance of Rs 134.33 crore for projects of special importance to the State.

Mr Ahluwalia complimented the State for its overall performance and particularly for substantially reducing the population below poverty line by focused distribution of subsidised food grains. He also appreciated the State for focused attention on irrigation but pointed out that prioritisation of projects was necessary for time-bound results.

Mr Ahluwalia also said Central support towards the food-for-work programme and backward region grant fund, to be operationalised shortly, could be better utilised for water management in underdeveloped regions of the State.

He said Andhra Pradesh should work towards efficient use of electricity and further strengthening of the panchayati raj institutions. Industrialisation should be promoted by continuing with cluster development approach and infrastructure building. The State was also advised to promote public-private partnership in the road and port sectors.

Members of the Commission drew attention of the State towards slowing down of State GDP and particularly growth in the agriculture sector.

The Chief Minister highlighted that his Government was giving priority to the development of rural areas and reducing regional imbalance. Agriculture and allied areas were on its priority list.

He held that projects are already in the pipeline to increase irrigation potential in the Telangana region by 35-lakh acres during the next four years.

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