Source : The Hindu Date : 27.06.2009
Punjab annual Plan finalised at Rs.8,600 crore
Special Correspondent
- Photo: S. Subramanium 
Plan time: Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal with Deputy Chairman of Planning Commission Montek Singh Ahluwalia in New Delhi on Friday.
NEW DELHI: Punjab’s annual Plan for 2009-10 was finalised at Rs.8,600 crore at a meeting here on Friday between Planning Commission Deputy Chairman Montek Singh Ahluwalia and State Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal. The Plan outlay includes an additional Central assistance component of Rs.75 crore for priority projects.
Initiating the discussion, Mr. Ahluwalia lauded the State Government for taking certain decisions to improve the overall financial position and suggested higher investment in areas such as power, roads and other infrastructure sectors. He said efforts should be made to take full advantage of development programmes like the National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme and the Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission to strengthen social security and upgrade the infrastructure in small towns.
Mr. Ahluwalia also cautioned against increased borrowings and non-Plan spending and advised the State to prepare a detailed report on all the growth indicators for the general population and the Scheduled Castes. Such a report focusing on agriculture, education, health and other service sectors would help bridge the gap in development between the SCs and the general population within a short span of time, he said.
Apprising the Commission of the initiatives taken by his government during the last financial year, Mr. Badal said the annual Plan for 2009-10 would seek to impart a special thrust to development of infrastructure such as roads, power generation and rejuvenation of irrigation facilities.
Noting that its efforts towards diversification of agriculture through contract farming had been a success, he said 2.52 lakh acres of additional land was brought under hybrid maize and sunflower cultivation. Besides, the State was also working on formulating a comprehensive agro-industrial policy, he said.
The Chief Minister said a number of schemes were taken up for the welfare of Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes while more than 100 ‘Adarsh’ schools had been set up, mostly in backward areas, for improving the literacy levels in these pockets.
As for Punjab’s financial position, Mr. Badal expressed concern over its increasing debt stock and requested the Commission to consider an increase in the borrowing limit while seeking special assistance for implementing the Sixth Pay Commission’s recommendations. He also urged the Commission to consider funds for land acquisition to upgrade rural roads under the Prime Minister’s Gram Sadak Yojana.
