The Hindu Business Line : Assam Plan size fixed at Rs 3,800 cr

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New Delhi Jan. 31 The Annual Plan of Assam for the inaugural year of the Eleventh Plan has been fixed at Rs 3,800 crore inclusive of special plan assistance of Rs 400 crore for important projects in irrigation, flood control, power and setting up of polytechnics.

At a meeting to decide the annual plan size of the State between the Planning Commission and the State Government here, the Deputy Chairman, Plan Panel, Mr Montek Singh Ahluwalia, said the State economy today is in a much better position than before even as the State is likely to log a growth of 5.59 per cent State domestic product against the targeted growth rate of 6.2 per cent.

He lauded the State Government for maintaining financial discipline and initiating steps for development of economy through various income and employment generating schemes. However, the Plan panel drew attention to the need for improving irrigation facilities as also setting up larger irrigation schemes and also for stemming distribution losses in the power sector.

The State was asked to expedite completion of ongoing power sector projects. Even as the State continues to suffer high drop out in educational institutions, the State has been asked to focus on skill upgradation through vocational education and universalisation of secondary education.

Special Programmes

Briefing the Commission on the performance of the State, the Chief Minister of Assam, Mr Tarun Kumar Gogoi, said that despite infrastructure-related problems impacting on development, the State has shown all-round development. He said that State intends to put in place special programmes to generate two million jobs during the 11th Plan period.

Mr Gogoi suggested development of special economic zones for the State with suitably modified norms and with full Central support till private parties show willingness to invest as special consideration of disadvantageous location of the State.

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