The Hindu : New Delhi News : Assam annual Plan fixed at 5,011 crore

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New Delhi

Assam annual Plan fixed at 5,011 crore

Special Correspondent

NEW DELHI: Assam’s annual Plan for 2007-08 was finalised at Rs.5,011 crore at a meeting here on Monday between Planning Commission Deputy Chairman Montek Singh Ahluwalia and State Chief Minister Tarun Kumar Gogoi.

The outlay, according to an official release here, includes a special assistance of Rs.250 crore for Assam’s priority projects, out of which Rs.20 crore is to be earmarked for development of Majuli Island. Besides, the release of the special aid component will be conditional on the State providing fully for its share of Centrally-sponsored schemes.

Initiating the discussions, Dr. Ahluwalia hailed the State Government for improving the State’s financial health and doubling the growth rate during the Tenth Plan. He asked the Government to further step up its efforts to accelerate the development process and aim at bringing Assam at par with the country’s developed states at the earliest.

The State also came in for praise for its performance in the ‘Bharat Nirman’ programme. Commission members noted that the Government should make more efforts to reach the targets set for sectors such as irrigation and drinking water. The State was also advised to evolve a convergence strategy for social sector schemes so as to maximise benefits from Centrally-sponsored schemes.

New approach

In view of Assam’s huge potential in the handloom sector, the Government was advised to encourage the cluster approach which is necessary for tapping the export potential.

Briefing the Commission on the State’s performance, Mr.Gogoi noted that Assam had achieved the objectives of eliminating revenue deficit and reducing the fiscal deficit to three p.c. of its GDP by 2005-06.

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