The Hindu : New Delhi News : Uttarakhand annual Plan finalised

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Wednesday, Feb 06, 2008
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Uttarakhand annual Plan finalised

Special Correspondent

NEW DELHI: The Annual Plan outlay for Uttarakhand for 2008-09 was on Tuesday finalised at Rs 4,775 crore at a meeting here between Planning Commission Deputy Chairman Montek Singh Ahluwalia and State Chief Minister B.C. Khanduri.

The Plan size includes an additional Central assistance component of Rs 300 crore for the infrastructure facilities required for Kumbh Mela and SAF Winter Games and other priority projects of the State.

Commenting on the State’s performance during the current fiscal, Dr Ahluwalia pointed out that its overall growth rate was good and even the Plan expenditure during the Tenth Plan period was encouraging but its per capita income remained rather low. Alongside, while its achievement in the farm sector was commendable, the poverty level in both rural and urban areas was, however, much higher than those at the all-India level or in Himachal Pradesh. This, he said, showed that topmost priority should be given to creating more livelihood opportunities.

Dr Ahluwalia noted that Uttarakhand had made commendable progress in the tourism sector during the Tenth Plan and the development process should be carried forward as the State had immense potential for becoming a world-class tourist centre with all types of activities on offer such as pilgrimage, cultural, adventure, wildlife and eco-tourism. To develop high value tourism, the State should focus on developing adequate infrastructure facilities at specific destinations and circuits.

On the industrial policy front, the Commission pointed out that Uttarakhand’s development programmes were seemingly being driven by subsidy. Efforts, therefore, should be made to have a comprehensive plan of action for identified industries.

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