The Hindu             19.06.2013

Planning Commission pulls up Gujarat on social sector front

The Planning Commission on Tuesday approved Gujarat’s
plan size of Rs. 59,000 crore for 2013-14. Narendra Modi, Gujarat Chief
Minister, reiterated his consistent efforts towards inclusive
development in an attempt to dismiss the lack of social sector
development in the State. According to Planning Commission Deputy
Chairman Montek Singh Ahluwalia, the Central plan assistance to the
State includes Rs. 10,000 crore under the Centrally sponsored schemes
and Rs. 4,000 crore as direct aid.

“Gujarat is one of
our better performing States. In terms of economic growth, we have
noted that the performance has been good in Gujarat. The State has
raised a number of issues on which the Central government should act;
like slow decision making, faster action for better development,” said
Mr. Ahluwalia.

However, Mr. Ahluwalia pulled up the
State for its performance on social indicators, saying: “[There was]… a
lot of discussion on the social sector. I think generally it has been
our view that Gujarat needs, in order to bring its social sector
performance up to the economic size, to have some special attention to
this area.”

Mr. Modi was here on his first trip after
being elevated as the Bharatiya Janata Party’s election campaign head.
The approved plan expenditure of Rs. 59,000 crore is nearly 16 per cent
more than the outlay for 2012-13.

Members present at
the meeting expressed concern over various poor social indicators
prevailing in Gujarat including child sex ratio, infant mortality rate,
maternal mortality rate and malnutrition.

Mr. Modi
was quick to defend his State’s performance, pointing out that Gujarat
spends 42 per cent of its budget on the social sector. He shot back with
the motto “
Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas
” (Everyone’s support, everyone’s development).

At the meeting, he showed a film highlighting the achievements of Gujarat’s inclusive growth in several schemes and sectors.

“The
funds would help upliftment of all sections of the society, including
scheduled caste, down trodden, exploited and tribal. We want to have all
the sections to get the benefits of growth,” Mr. Modi added.

While
the Planning Commission’s members acknowledged improvements regarding
social indicators according to the 2001-11 census, they maintained that
sections of Gujarat have not reaped the benefits of this growth model.
Additionally, the State must inspire to be like other fast growing
States that have managed to enjoy inclusive growth.

“This
is not good enough for a State growing so fast. Gujarat has the
resources to be at par with States like Kerala, Karnataka and
Maharashtra,” member Planning Commission Sayeda Hameed told
The Hindu
.

Mr. Modi once again emphasised that “Gujarat has
played a crucial and big role in development of India. In terms of
contribution and GDP, we are among the highest contributors,” he said.

Mr.
Modi expressed concern over the Centre not allowing enough flexibility
with State funds. He suggested less control and conditionally over funds
received. He was in agreement of the B.K. Chaturvedi committee on
restructuring the schemes.