The Annual Plan for Andhra Pradesh for the year
2007-08 was finalized, here today, at a meeting
between Deputy Chairman, Planning Commission Shri
Montek Singh Ahluwalia and the Chief Minister of
Andhra Pradesh Dr. Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy. The Plan
outlay was agreed at Rs.30500 crores. This includes
one time Central assistance of Rs.150 crores to the
State for special programmes in the Animal Husbandry
sector.
In his opening remarks, Deputy Chairman, Planning
Commission, complimented the State Government for
significantly improving the growth rate and following
a development process having focus on inclusive
growth. He said Plan realization as well as outlay was
moving in the right direction. Efforts made to improve
performance in agriculture, power and health sector
were appreciated. It was pointed out that National
Rural Employment Guarantee Programme was very well
executed by the State and many other States were
trying to follow it. In the power sector transmission
and distribution losses have substantially come down.
The State was advised to have more focus on
horticulture and animal husbandry.
Deputy Chairman, Planning Commission, said that the
Commission was concerned about the slow execution of
Central schemes. He said States should come forward in
pointing out difficulties in the execution of these
schemes so that steps can be taken to make guidelines
flexible. He said the Planning Commission would
shortly initiate regional consultations aimed at
having in-depth discussions with the States on
priorities for the Eleventh Plan.
He said the State Government should accelerate
efforts for achieving goals set under National Common
Minimum Programme. Provision of drinking water in all
rural habitations and sanitation should be given more
attention. Attention was drawn to less than national
average in literacy. The State was complimented for
achievements in the health sector specially in brining
down IMR & MMR and spread of HIV.
Appreciating the efforts being made for creating
investor friendly environment, it was pointed out that
the State was figuring among the top five destinations
for industrial investment both foreign and domestic.
Introduction of District Planning Committees and
cluster based development of small scale industries
was also appreciated.
Briefing the Commission on performance of the State,
the Chief Minister Mr. Reddy said that plan
realization had improved during the last two years.
The State was aiming at reaching higher than the
national average in growth during Eleventh Plan
period. Focus was on rural development with time
bound approach to improve irrigation potential. He
said during Eleventh Plan the State aims at bringing
under irrigation 12 lakh acres of land every year.
Self-help Groups were being encouraged with interest
subsidy.
He said innovative schemes are being introduced to
improve rural employability. Schemes sponsored by the
Central government specially National Rural Employment
Guarantee Programme, Bharat Nirman Programme and
Jawaharlal Nehru Urban Renewal Mission were
supplementing State's effort to make growth truly
inclusive. He said public private partnership in
social development was being encouraged and pointed
out that during current year 294 public schools would
be set up with private participation.
NNK : RK
(Release ID :26911)