The Hindu : Plan outlay fixed at Rs. 10,970 cr.

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Wednesday, Jul 30, 2003

Southern States

Southern States - Andhra Pradesh

Plan outlay fixed at Rs. 10,970 cr.

By Our Special Correspondent

NEW DELHI JULY 29. Andhra Pradesh's Annual Plan for 2003-04 has been finalised at Rs.10,970.46 crores, which includes a Rs. 50-crore assistance for the Godavari Pushkaram. This year's Plan size is marginally higher than the Rs. 10,100 crores finalised for last year and substantially higher than the Rs. 8,553-crore revised Plan for 2002-03.

The Plan size was finalised at a meeting here today between the Deputy Chairman of the Planning Commission, K. C. Pant, and the Chief Minister, N. Chandrababu Naidu. It was decided at the meeting that out of the approved outlay, the Planning Commission would provide Rs. 6,479 crores as Central assistance and the State would mobilise Rs. 4,473 crores. The Deputy Chairman also provided Rs. 50 crores as additional Central assistance for the Godavari Pushkaram and Rs. 11 crores for National Games. Out of the sanctioned assistance, as much as Rs. 4,168 crores has been provided for externally aided projects, while normal Central assistance has increased by Rs. 260 crores for the current fiscal.

During the discussions, Mr. Pant appreciated the State Government's achievements in the fields of literacy, population stabilisation, infrastructure development and for good governance. The State had achieved the sharpest decline in the decadal population growth rate which came down from 24.20 per cent in 1981-91 to 13.86 per cent in 1991-2001 and Mr. Pant felt this could be achieved because of the active political and administrative leadership backing the programme.

The Deputy Chairman, however, pointed out that the State should encourage handicrafts, handlooms and jewellery as these sectors could provide gainful employment. Besides, for the development of agriculture and allied activities, the State should give special attention to dry land farming, sustainable agricultural practices and value addition. The creation of backward and forward linkages and credit-linked subsidies would help the State in realising its full potential in agriculture and horticulture production, he added.

The State's attention was drawn to the overexploitation of ground water in some areas as the depletion of the water table would affect the sustainability of drinking water resources. It was also suggested that more Vanasamrakshana Samitis should be set up to increase the forest cover in the State.

Briefing the Commission on the achievements and the future line of action, Mr. Naidu said 24 growth engines had been identified for focussed attention and major efforts were being made for water conservation and afforestation.

The Chief Minister said the State had recorded a 12 per cent growth in literacy during the past two years and 100 per cent literacy would be achieved in three years. The poverty level had been brought down from over 21 per cent in 1992 to 15.17 per cent during the last year and the growth rate in the backward districts was `very encouraging and the industrial investment climate positive.' Andhra Pradesh was pursuing public sector reforms on a priority basis and all major ports had been privatised and an Infrastructure Regulatory Authority set up, the Chief Minister said. Performance indicators up to the mandal level were being regularly monitored to improve governance, he added.

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