Punjab Annual Plan Estimated At Rs 6,210cr

New Delhi: The annual Plan of Punjab for 2008-09 has been pegged at Rs 6,210 crore, inclusive of additional Central Assistance for projects of special interest to the State. This was arrived at a meeting between the Deputy Chairman, Planning Commission, Mr Montek Singh Ahluwalia, and the Punjab Chief Minister, of Mr Parkash Singh Badal, here on Feb 19.

The State Government was urged to take the lead in agro-marketing and strengthen Agriculture Produce Marketing Committee. Emphasis should be on skill upgradation via public private partnership, crop diversification, genetic upgradation of major crops and power sector reforms. Mr Badal appreciated the plans of the Central Government like skill development mission and setting up of international airport at Chandigarh. On development policy of the State, he said it will concentrate on removing intra-regional imbalances, generation of productive employment, improving quality of life by providing better healthcare facilities, sanitation, safe drinking water, education and greater access to food.

Puducherry''s Plan Outlay Estimated At Rs 1,750cr

New Delhi: The annual planned outlay of the Union Territory of Puducherry for the fiscal 2008-09 has been estimated at Rs 1,750 crore. This was finalised, here on Feb 18, at a meeting between the Deputy Chairman of the Planning Commission, Mr Montek Singh Ahluwalia, and the Chief Minister of Puducherry, Mr N. Rangaswamy. In his first remarks, Mr Ahluwalia complimented Puducherry for growth in the manufacturing and service sectors. However the gross State domestic product (GSDP) growth rate was below the national average. Human development indices remain better than the national average. The Commission offered non-lending technical assistance for procuring the master plan on tourism development. The Eleventh Plan will concentrate on social sector development with allocations stepped up for upgradation of rural roads, better drinking water supply, slum upgradation, primary and secondary education, primary health care services and the public distribution system.