Rs. 640 cr. annual plan for Arunachal Pradesh

By Our Special Correspondent

NEW DELHI, AUG. 29. The Annual Plan for Arunachal Pradesh for 2000-2001 has been finalised at Rs. 640 crores. The plan was finalised during a meeting here today between the Deputy Chairman of the Planning Commission, Mr. K. C. Pant, and the State Chief Minister, Mr. Mukut Mithi.

During the meeting, Mr. Pant drew attention of the Chief Minister to the poor utilisation of funds allocated for 17 projects out of the total non-lapsable Central pool of resources. Mr Mithi was told that out of the total allocation of Rs. 124.08 crores during the last financial year, only Rs. 19.65 crores could be released due to non-availability of detailed project reports.

The Chief Minister drew the attention of the Commission towards the devastating floods in the State during the year and measures taken to improve the financial situation. He said for the first time sales tax was imposed on some items, electricity tariff doubled, bus fares increased by eight per cent and water rates revised. These measures were together expected to generate nearly Rs. 22 crores during the current financial year, Mr. Mithi said and added that other measures aimed at fiscal discipline include cutting down of non-Plan revenue expenditure and creation of a sinking fund.

The Chief Minister sought Central support for the creation of a forest protection force and additional funds for promotion of tree plantation, tourism promotion and water source development.

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Section  : Other States
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