KOLKATA: The Planning Commission was looking at faster and more inclusive growth in its draft approach paper to the 11th five-year plan with emphasis on bridging of regional imbalances, Deputy Chairman Montek Singh Ahluwalia said here on Monday.

Although there had been criticism from some States that too much emphasis was laid on higher growth rate, Mr. Ahluwalia said "growth is important, but is not everything".

The draft approach paper was discussed with Chief Ministers of West Bengal, Bihar, Chattisgarh and Orissa and Jharkhand's Finance Minister during the day.

Though the Gross Domestic Product growth rate has been set at between 8 and 9 per cent over the entire period in the approach paper, the targeted rate would be determined by the Planning Commission only after taking into account views put forward by different States, Mr. Ahluwalia said. "Our aim is to do better than the last five years."

The approach paper envisages a two-fold increase in the agricultural growth rate. This was crucial, though there were other problems in the sector causing distress in rural areas, Mr. Ahluwalia pointed out. The West Bengal Chief Minister, Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee, reportedly pointed out at the meeting that the approach paper had no mention of land reforms, agriculture distress and the collapse of the public distribution system.

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