The Hindu Business Line : Uttarakhand annual Plan fixed at Rs 4,775 cr

The Uttarakhand Chief Minister, Mr B.C. Khanduri, calling on the Deputy Chairman of Planning Commission, Mr Montek Singh Ahluwalia, to finalise the State Annual Plan for 2008-09, in the Capital on Tuesday. —

Our Bureau

New Delhi, Feb. 5 The Annual Plan outlay for Uttarakhand in 2008-09 has been fixed at Rs 4,775 crore, inclusive of the additional Central assistance of Rs 300 crore specifically by way of infrastructure assistance for Kumbh Mela at Haridwar and South Asian Winter Games and other projects of special interest to the State.

This was agreed at a meeting here on Tuesday, between the Deputy Chairman Planning Commission, Mr Montek Singh Ahluwalia, and the Chief Minister of Uttarakhand, Major General (Retd) B.C. Khanduri.

Commenting on the performance of the State, Mr Ahluwalia said that growth rate was good but per capita income remained rather low. Achievement in the agriculture sector was commendable. He said the State’s poverty level was much higher than those at the all-India level or in Himachal Pradesh in both rural and urban areas. This shows that top-most priority should be given to creating livelihood opportunities, he added.

Tourism sector

The Plan panel 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 immense potential for becoming a world-class tourist centre. The State offers all types of tourism such as 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.

On industrial policy, it was pointed out that the policy seemingly was driven by subsidy. Efforts should be 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, Mr Khanduri said that emphasis would continue on social sector.

This is clearly reflected in both the Eleventh Plan and the State’s annual Plan proposal. Over 37 per cent of the Plan outlay would be earmarked for social services. He said efforts were on to further accelerate development of infrastructure and for this purpose, four projects were being executed through external aid.

These would be in roads and bridges, urban infrastructure, power and tourism development.

Tax-holiday

Mr Khanduri said the Centre should supplement efforts to bring the State at par with other developed States and in view of the slow state of industrialisation, tax holiday period should be extended up to 2013.

He also sought Central support in tackling problem of silting of dams.

More Stories on : Economy | Other States

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