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Jharkhand Plan finalised

NEW DELHI: Jharkhand’s Annual Plan for 2008-09 was finalised at Rs.8,015 crore, including an additional Central assistance of Rs.50 crore for projects of special interest, at a meeting here on Friday between Planning Commission Deputy Chairman Montek Singh Ahluwalia and State Chief Minister Madhu Koda.

Appreciating the State Government’s efforts to improve the pace of development, Mr. Ahluwalia said the Plan expenditure for the current year was much better than the previous year’s. He asked the State Government to make further efforts to achieve faster growth and development with focused attention of human development.

Since the economy of Jharkhand is characterised by a higher incidence of poverty, unemployment and low per capita income, higher attention and allocation to social sector development was needed, said Mr. Ahluwalia.

“The State Government should take benefit of the new schemes being introduced by the Central Government which are aimed at making growth more inclusive,” he added.

Mr. Ahluwalia said allocations for new initiatives like food security and Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana were likely to be improved and the State should make advance preparations to execute them. In view of the natural potential for horticulture and floriculture, the State Government has been advised to take optimum advantage of the national horticulture mission and establish a marketing network.

Chief Minister Madhu Koda said the State Government had embarked on overhauling the processes and systems to make delivery systems more effective, transparent, responsive and cost-effective. Villages were being empowered and processes being simplified. Efforts were on to improve the human development index, he added.

He said higher allocations were being made to social services. Over 38 per cent of the outlay is being earmarked for social service which includes 13.24 per cent to education.

Mr. Koda sought the Planning Commission’s intervention in seeking additional support from the Centre for up-gradation of highways in the State and speeding up environment clearance of irrigation projects.

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Jharkhand Plan finalised

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