The Hindu Business Line : M.P. annual Plan pegged at Rs 14,182.61 crore

Growth strategy: The Planning Commission Deputy Chairman, Mr Montek Singh Ahluwalia, with the Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister, Mr Shivraj Singh Chouhan, to finalise the annual Plan of the State in the Capital on Monday. —

Our Bureau

New Delhi, March 25 The annual Plan of Madhya Pradesh for 2008-09 has been pegged at Rs 14,182.61 crore, inclusive of one-time additional Central Assistance of Rs 150 crore for projects of special interest to the State. This was agreed on Tuesday at a meeting between the Deputy Chairman, Planning Commission, Mr Montek Singh Ahluwalia, and the Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister, Mr Shivraj Singh Chouhan.

In his preliminary remarks on the performance of the State, Mr Ahluwalia said the State needs to devote more attention on human development. Social sector needs priority and efforts should be aimed at improving human development index with policy initiatives for creating investor-friendly environment. He said the State Government should avail itself of benefits available under various social sector schemes.

Improving performance

Efforts should be made to improve performance in various programmes under Bharat Nirman. He said priority should be given to schemes related to Bundelkhand area. Power sector should get focused attention as achievement of higher growth rate in the Eleventh Plan could be constrained due to power shortage.

Mr Chouhan informed the Commission that thrust areas of development policy would be eliminating hunger, malnutrition and poverty. Livelihood opportunity would be created through generating economic activities based on natural resources. A number of new initiatives have been taken to improve social protection. These include Mukhya Mantri Mazdoor Suraksha Yojana, integrated livelihood programme and Din Dayal Antodya Upchar Yojana.

He further added that fiscal reforms were being pursued with focused attention to ensure good governance. The State Government was working to facilitate investments and creating more physical and social infrastructure. He said addressing needs of disadvantaged including women, SCs/STs and disabled was on the priority agenda of the Government. Efforts have also been on to reduce dependence on agriculture in rural areas and for this purpose allied areas were being given priority. He said States with higher forest cover than national average should be compensated.

More Stories on : Economy | Other States

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