The Annual Plan for Mizoram for the year 2006-2007 was
finalized here today at a meeting between Deputy
Chairman, Planning Commission Shri Montek Singh
Ahluwalia and Chief Minister of Mizoram Shri
Zoramthanga. The Annual Plan was finalized at Rs.758
crores as against Rs.685 crores for the current
financial year. This includes Rs.46.85 crores of
additional Central assistance for the special
programmes / projects of the State.
The Deputy Chairman complimented the State Government
for Plan expenditure realization during the Tenth Plan
period. He said the State was expected to spend
nearly 85 per cent of the outlay for the period. Mr.
Ahluwalia said the State has been taking initiatives
to improve financial health but more efforts would be
appreciated in certain areas. To supplement efforts
aimed at improving agro-forest base of economy,
emphasis on better quality of infrastructure was
required. He also appreciated the State for high
literacy rate.
He said the Commission would shortly send a Team of
Technical Experts to help State in tackling the
problem arising out of bamboo flowering. Attention was
also drawn to the need to improve investment in
agriculture sector as State was pursuing a modal of
urbanizing villages.
The State Government was also suggested to improve
execution capacity as during the next financial year
fund flow under Central Government programmes
including Bharat Nirman, employment guarantee and
rural electrification was likely to increase. While
appreciating the economic position of the State,
attention was drawn to high percentage of public
expenditure and low share of taxes in GSDP.
The Chief Minister informed the Commission about the
new initiatives taken by the State Government for
resource mobilization and accelerating growth. He
said new taxes have been introduced, tariff for power
and water have been increased and number of cost
cutting measures taken. Initiatives for accelerating
development include introduction and implementation of
policy on industrial development, information
technology and energy. Development of horticulture
and bamboo are being given focused attention as they
can catalyze State's economy.
NNK : RK
(Release ID :13801)