The Annual Plan outlay for Uttarakhand for the year 2009- was finalized at a meeting, here today, between the Deputy Chairman Planning Commission, Shri Montek Singh Ahluwalia and Chief Minister of Uttaranchal Shri Ramesh Pokhriyal. The Annual Plan size was agreed at Rs.5574.70 crores. This includes additional Central assistance of Rs.400 crores for infrastructure needed for Kumbh Mela.
Deputy Chairman, Planning Commission complimented the State Government for new initiatives aimed at making the growth more inclusive. He said more focused attention was needed in education and health sector and policy initiatives should aim at promoting public private partnership to accelerate pace and generate human capital that is a critical input into the development process
Mr. Ahluwalia said that the State needs to give higher priority to infrastructure development as future growth will depend critically on the rapid development of this sector. He said this was even more important if the emphasis was on inclusive growth, since there is a direct link between the availability of infrastructure facilities in the backward regions and the standard of living of the people living there.
He said the State has immense tourism potential and effort should be to further strengthen infrastructure for the sector. Investment friendly policy initiatives including provision of land to the private sector should be promoted.
Briefing the Commission on Plan performance of the State, the Chief Minister said that in pursuance of national policy to ensure that growth is more inclusive and benefits reach to all sections of the society, the State would accord highest priority to social services with transport sector as the next priority. He said efforts are on to encourage private sector participation in both physical and social infrastructure.
The Chief Minister pointed out that the State has to protect forests which constitute over 65 per cent of the land area, and constraints their economic activity. He said Centre should compensate State government for this. Private sector is being encouraged to participate in the development of both physical and social infrastructure and many new projects in public private partnership mod are expected this year. He said the State expects to reach 100 per cent of villages by year end and would work towards further promoting horticulture and floriculture.
News Source: Press Information Bureau
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