The Hindu Business Line : Annual Plan for TN fixed at Rs 14,000 cr

Recommendations
Plan panel proposes judicious and scientific use of natural resources.
Textile, leather machinery manufacturing need special attention to step up activities for value addition.

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New Delhi Feb. 5 The Annual Plan of Tamil Nadu for 2007-08, the first year of the Eleventh Plan, has been fixed at Rs 14,000 crore, inclusive of additional Central assistance of Rs 200 crore extended for projects of specific interest to the State.

At a meeting between the Deputy Chairman of Planning Commission, Mr Montek Singh Ahluwalia, and the Chief Minister, Mr M. Karunanidhi, here, the Plan panel drew the attention of the State Government authorities about the low growth rate during the Tenth Five Year Plan (2002-07).

While recommending judicious and scientific use of natural resources, the Plan panel underscored the importance of effective harnessing of water resources along with shift in the cropping pattern as priority areas for the Eleventh Plan.

Mr Ahluwalia said the State has been successfully implementing public-private partnerships in various sectors and lauded the State's efforts in rural electrification and improving connectivity. The State has become a hub of industrial development in information technology services and automobile parts.

The Planning Commission recommended that textile and leather machinery manufacturing need special attention as it would enable the State textile and leather industry to step up activities for value addition. The panel also took note of the plummeting trend in the reported cases of HIV/AIDs cases in the State.

Agri top priority

While appreciating the Plan panel for extending full support in Tsunami Relief Programmes, Mr Karunandhi said that this has helped the State to take up construction of 22,000 houses. On priorities during the Eleventh Plan, for which a tentative outlay of Rs 80,000 crore has been estimated for the five-year period, he said agriculture would get top priority.

He sough the Plan panel intermediation for the peninsular component of inter-linking of river project during the Eleventh Plan period since this would help the State in revitalising agriculture and providing benefits to millions.

The Chief Minister also sought the Union Government's support to implement the scheme to provide households with gas-stove and free-gas connection as this scheme was designed to improving the health of women and preserving environment and forest cover.

In this context, he said the State would hardly derive much benefit out of the ongoing Bharat Nirman project as it is already advanced in rural electrification, water supply and roads. The National Rural Employment Guarantee programme should be extended to all districts of the State.

Stating that only six districts were benefiting from Backward Region Grant Fund, Mr Karunandhi suggested inclusion of composite Dharmapuri district in the list.