Uttarakhand Annual Plan 2009-10 finalized On September - 7 - 2009

[Gitanjali]

Dear All,

The Uttarakhand Annual Plan 2009-10 was finalized on September 7,
2009, you might find this an interesting read.

Uttarakhand Annual Plan 2009-10 finalized On September - 7 - 2009


The Annual Plan outlay for Uttarakhand for the year 2009- was
finalized at a meeting, here today, between the Deputy Chairman
Planning Commission, Shri Montek Singh Ahluwalia and Chief Minister of
Uttaranchal Shri Ramesh Pokhriyal. The Annual Plan size was agreed at
Rs.5574.70 crores. This includes additional Central assistance of Rs.
400 crores for infrastructure needed for Kumbh Mela.

Deputy Chairman, Planning Commission complimented the State Government
for new initiatives aimed at making the growth more inclusive. He said
more focused attention was needed in education and health sector and
policy initiatives should aim at promoting public private partnership
to accelerate pace and generate human capital that is a critical input
into the development process

Mr. Ahluwalia said that the State needs to give higher priority to
infrastructure development as future growth will depend critically on
the rapid development of this sector. He said this was even more
important if the emphasis was on inclusive growth, since there is a
direct link between the availability of infrastructure facilities in
the backward regions and the standard of living of the people living
there.

He said the State has immense tourism potential and effort should be
to further strengthen infrastructure for the sector. Investment
friendly policy initiatives including provision of land to the private
sector should be promoted.

Briefing the Commission on Plan performance of the State, the Chief
Minister said that in pursuance of national policy to ensure that
growth is more inclusive and benefits reach to all sections of the
society, the State would accord highest priority to social services
with transport sector as the next priority. He said efforts are on to
encourage private sector participation in both physical and social
infrastructure.

The Chief Minister pointed out that the State has to protect forests
which constitute over 65 per cent of the land area, and constraints
their economic activity. He said Centre should compensate State
government for this. Private sector is being encouraged to participate
in the development of both physical and social infrastructure and many
new projects in public private partnership mod are expected this year.
He said the State expects to reach 100 per cent of villages by year
end and would work towards further promoting horticulture and
floriculture.

News Source: Press Information Bureau