Karnataka Annual Plan 2011-12 Finalized

The Annual Plan for Karnataka for the year 2011-12 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.38070 crore.

Mr. Ahluwalia said that the Planning Commission is in the process of finalizing approach to the Twelfth Plan. He said new challenges have surfaced which need immediate and more focused attention of both Central and State government. These include energy, water and health sectors. During Eleventh Plan some progress has been reached in agriculture and infrastructure sectors but would need continued focus in the next Plan for sustainable development.

In his comments on performance of the State, Mr Ahluwalia said that Karnataka is a strong performing State but witnessed fluctuation in the growth rates. Karnataka has become one of country’s global economic players owing to its various industries in the field of electronics, software, biotechnology and other small and medium scale industries. The state witnessed a very high growth rate (in terms of GSDP at constant prices) of 12.92 per cent during 2007-08 which has declined sharply to 5.08 per cent during 2008-09.

The Chief Minister said Karnataka is one of the few major States that have consistently realized more resources than what was budgeted in the Five Year Plans. The State was likely to achieve an expenditure of Rs.114006 crore against an allocation of Rs.101664 crore in the Eleventh Five Year Plan. All the sectors are expected to perform reasonably well.

The Annual Plan outlay for 2011-12 reflects the priorities of the Government of Karnataka. As compared to the current year, allocations have been increased considerably in 2011-12 for Agriculture (63%), Irrigation (55%), Energy (31%), Rural Development (22%), and Housing (33%). He said the agriculture growth rates in Karnataka which was of serious concern on account of the frequent droughts and the floods in the last 10 years have shown marked improvement. The advance estimates of food grain production of 125 lakh tones for the year 2010-11 is all time record for the State.

Chief Minister Karnataka said that the State has been a pioneer in industry. For several years the State has been consistently pursuing progressive industrial policies to meet the changing needs of the State’s economy and industry. In recent times, Karnataka has emerged as the knowledge and technology capital of the country making rapid strides in the new economy as well. IT related industries; bio technology and strong research and development institutions have given Karnataka a pride of place in the global market.

NNK/RK