Karnataka Annual Plan 2010-11 finalized

The Annual Plan for Karnataka for the year 2010-11 was finalized here today at a meeting between Deputy Chairman, Planning Commission Shri Montek Singh Ahluwalia and Chief Minister of Karnataka, Shri B.S. Yeddyurappa. The plan size was agreed at Rs.31050 crore. This includes additional central assistance of rupees 65 crores for programmes of special assistance to the State.

Mr. Ahluwalia complimented the State for Plan performance and achievements in social sector. He said the innovative approach has helped the State in becoming country’s global economic player. Performance in IT sector, bio-technology and software exports is laudable.

The Deputy Chairman said water shortage was becoming a matter of concern and all States need to work towards regulating water use. He said the Planning Commission will have a major focus on this issue in its Twelfth Plan. The country needs an integrated water policy at the earliest, he added. It was pointed out that more focus should be given to non-conventional sources of energy particularly Wind Energy. Concerted efforts are needed to further reduce gender gap in education and minority development.

The State has given priority to model supply with an allocation of 25.2 per cent in the Plan. The Energy Sector will get 13 percent, transport 12.3 per cent, irrigation 11.3 per cent and education 7.8 per cent of the outlay. The social sector will have 45.4 per cent of the total outlay. In terms of increase, urban development will get 19.1 per cent more than last year allocation while labour and employment will have 15.4 per cent additional fund.

Attention was also drawn to the findings of expert committee headed by Suresh Tandulkar. According to the report Karnataka has achieved sharpest poverty reduction amongst Southern States between 1993-94 and 2004-05. Though rural poverty levels have declined significantly but the State was unable to affect a significant decline in urban poverty.

The per capita income has increased from Rs.18115 to Rs.24395 from 2002-03 to 2008-09 and State is ranked 9th among all the States. Employment in rural areas has increased more than in urban areas and States literacy rate is 66.64 at the end of Eleventh Plan. Though the gender gap in literacy has reduced from 22.92 in 1991 to 18.84 in 2001, it appears an uphill task for the State to achieve the target of reducing gender gap to 10 per cent by 2012.

The Chief Minister Mr. Yeddyurappa wanted Planning Commission’s intervention in captive coal block allotments for Chattisgarh, Yarmarus, Ediapur, Kudagi, Gulbarga and Belgaum power projects. He said Upper Bhadra Project and De-silting of Tungbhadra Reservoir should be declared as National projects.

He said a special package of Rs.8500 crores should be given for taking up infrastructure projects in Bangalore and funds for right to education should be in the ratio of 90 :10. He said the State need to step up efforts in certain areas in order to achieve prosperity and development. Initiatives taken to improve agriculture income include providing crop loans at 3 per cent rate of interest and promoting organic farming.

NNK / RK