Punjab annual Plan fixed at Rs 6,210 cr

New Delhi: The annual Plan of Punjab for 2008-09 has been fixed 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 Tuesday.

In his opening remarks, Mr Ahluwalia appreciated the initiatives of the State to ensure inclusive growth and efforts to encourage private sector participation in development. He said initiatives aimed at rejuvenating agriculture, skill development and manufacturing sector were steps in the right direction.

The State Government was asked to take the lead in agro-marketing and beef up Agriculture Produce Marketing Committee. Emphasis should be on skill upgradation through public private partnership, crop diversification, genetic upgradation of major crops and power sector reforms. It was pointed out that the policy of free power needs to be reviewed as it was leading to over-exploitation of ground water. The State’s efforts to improve growth rate and catch up with the national trend was appreciated.

In his comments on development programme, Mr Badal appreciated the initiatives 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 would focus 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. He said focus would be on improving performance on social indicators to match its economic progress.

He said to improve employability of Punjab youth, a new department of employment generation has been created and focused attention was being given to improving delivery of public services in the health education sectors. High priority would be given to energy sector and social services.

Mr Badal requested for enhancement of grant under Indira Awas Yojana to Rs 50,000 each from present level of Rs 15,000.

He also requested the setting up of an IIT and IIM in the State. Extension of freight corridor to Wagah was also suggested.