NEW DELHI: The size of Uttar Pradesh's Annual Plan for 2006-07 was fixed at Rs 19,000 crores at a meeting between Planning Commission Deputy Chairman Montek Singh Ahluwalia and State Chief Minister Mulayam Singh Yadav here on Thursday. This includes a one-time additional Central aid of Rs. 250 crores for the State's priority projects.

It was also agreed that the Plan outlay would include Rs. 500 crores for the National Urban Renewal Programme for which the U.P. Government would have to enter into a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the Centre.

During the discussions, Dr Ahluwalia hailed the U.P. Government's efforts for speeding up the development process and improving the financial health of the State.

The State's performance in collection of trade tax, excise and stamp duty was remarkable, he said, and particularly mentioned the 30.1 per cent increase in trade tax mop-up.

On the social front, the State's performance in implementing `Sarva Siksha Abhiyan' and the Mid-day meal scheme were especially commended while the State was told to pay focused attention on the health sector to bring it back on track. The State was also asked to allocate more funds for forests and environment and evolve a policy for promotion of fisheries.

Planning Commission members suggested that the State Government formulate a comprehensive action plan for ensuring implementation of the guidelines related to the information technology (IT) sector and earmark two to three per cent of the total Plan outlay for IT activities.

As for the power sector, the State was asked to present its case separately so as to have a comprehensive view on the problems being faced in implementing reforms.

Detailing the State's performance, the Chief Minister noted that focused attention was being paid to sectors such as power, road, irrigation, health, education and employment.

While the State's revenue growth so far this fiscal has been 23 per cent, Mr. Yadav said that its GDP growth rate was expected to be seven per cent during 2005-06.

As for infrastructure development, he said that in the last two years, 227 major bridges had been constructed and another 100 would be completed before the end of the current fiscal.

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