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Rajasthan Annual Plan at Rs 5,031 cr -- CM pleads for special category status

Our Bureau

NEW DELHI, July 20

THE 2001-02 Annual Plan of Rajasthan has been finalised at Rs 5,031 crore as against Rs 4,146 crore in the previous year, marking a substantial hike even in real terms, after deflating for headline inflation.

This was decided here at a meeting between the Deputy Chairman, Planning Commission, Mr K.C. Pant and the State Chief Minister Mr Ashok Gahlot.

In his remarks, Mr Pant complimented the efforts of the State Government in carrying out fiscal reforms and also in poverty alleviation and education sector. He said the number of people below the poverty line in Rajasthan was the lowest in the country a nd the literacy rate has gone up from 38.55 per cent in 1991 to 61.03 per cent in 2001. He also announced the Plan panel's decision to fund the preparation of State development report for some States, including Rajasthan to have a composite look at the d evelopment status and potential of the States.

Drawing attention to the State's worsening mobilisation of resources during the Ninth Plan, he said the financing pattern of Ninth Plan projected Central assistance at 43.3 per cent, borrowings at 53 per cent with own funds of the State contributing 5.7 per cent of the aggregate resources.

Against this, the likely achievement during the first four years of the Plan shows that the borrowings of the State would be 170 per cent and its own resources would be -104.45 per cent.

Briefing the Planning Commission on the initiatives taken by the State Government, Mr Gahlot pointed out that various programmes aimed at countering adverse effects of drought were carried out successfully. He also highlighted the initiatives in fiscal r eforms and infrastructure development. The tax revenue has grown by 15 per cent while non-tax revenue grew by 7 per cent during the last fiscal year. Additional Rs 200 crore were generated through the sale of land in the command area and increase in the mining charges. He said efficient fiscal management has led to bringing down of fiscal deficit from 7.14 per cent to 5.45 per cent and revenue deficit to 21.14 per cent from 37.18 per cent during the last financial year.

Mr Gahlot also pleaded for a review of the formula for allocation of normal Central assistance and grant of special category State to Rajasthan.

Pic.: The Rajasthan Chief Minister, Mr Ashok Gahlot with the Planning Commission Deputy Chairman, Mr K.C. Pant, in the Capital on Friday to discuss annual Plan for the State.

Picture by Kamal Narang