news details |
|
|
| Rs 6000 cr annual plan is finally through for J&K | | Govt upbeat as full funding assured by PC | | EARLY TIMES REPORT
NEW DELHI, June 18: The long wait is over as the Planning Commission has finally sanctioned the annual on the lines what J&K government had asked for.Annual plan at Rs 6000 cr and with a firm commitment from the Planning Commission for full funding of the annual plan, the NC led coalition government has all the reasons to feel upbeat and more than satisfied.The joy is doubled by the fact that Planning Commission has conveyed its deep appreciation of the efforts being put in by the Coalition Government led by Chief Minister, Omar Abdullah for translating development measures into concrete and positive outcomes.
Impressed with his power point presentation again, the Planning Commission had a word of praise for the Chief Minister and his team for moving decisively on the reforms agenda-both in the Urban and Power sectors.It is pertinent to mention that it is for the first time that any Chief Minister of J&K has himself made presentation about spendings, performance and implementation of schemes on ground, while strongly pleading what his government had sought for current financial year- Rs 6000 cr annual plan besides Rs 1200 cr for PMRP.
"What makes the difference this year is the fact that funding will come directly to the state without any condition or wait as the plan will be fully funded by GOI as assured by the Planning Commission", said Finance Minister of the state, AR Rather who was also present in the final meeting today with PC Deputy Chairman Montek Singh Ahluwalia.To a question of annual plan having been delayed, the Finance Minister dismissed the fears contending things are in fact far ahead than the previous year when the plan got finalised in the month of September. "Moreover the government had already approved 25% capital expenditure and 50% revenue expenditure on various works in the month of April", Rather said.
Based on a considered assessment of the State's resources during current year and a clear endorsement of the State Government's requirement of pursuing a vibrant and effective developmental agenda, the Planning Commission today approved the size of current year's Annual Plan for J&K at Rs. 6000 crore. This would be 9 per cent (Rs. 500 crore) more than the previous year's allocation.
Accordingly, an additional Special Plan Assistance of Rs. 4606 crore will be made available by the Centre to the State, over and above the State's entitlement for fully funding the Plan. Additionally, the State is going to receive Rs. 1200 crore under Prime Minister's Reconstruction Plan (PMRP).
This was decided at a high level meeting between the Chief Minister, Omar Abdullah and the Deputy Chairman of Planning Commission of India, Dr. Montek Singh Ahluwalia here this after noon.
Minister for Finance, Abdul Rahim Rather, Chief Secretary, S. S. Kapur and other senior officers of the State Government accompanied the Chief Minister in the meeting. The Planning Commission team comprised, besides Dr. Ahluwalia, members Saumitra Chaudhury, Dr. (Ms) Sayeda Hamid, B. K. Chaturvedi and Principal Advisor (Power & Rural Development), Senior Advisor for Jammu and Kashmir and other Advisors.
The meeting started with an exhaustive Power Point presentation made by the Chief Minister himself. The Planning Commission conveyed its special appreciation to the Chief Minister for a very comprehensive and focused presentation of the case for J&K for deepening and widening the development process during the current year.
The Plan allocation decided today demonstrates focused attention on areas like roads, energy, water supply, health and education.
Chief Minister, Omar Abdullah, it may be recalled, has time and again put these areas on the top agenda of his Government. The Plan allocations also envision Public-Private-Partnership (PPP) in these sectors. Besides, the plan allocations aim at building on the core competence in areas of tourism, agriculture, horticulture, fruits and flowers and industry and handicrafts to employment and employability.
In this regard, the Planning Commission noted the roll out of the Sher-e-Kashmir Employment & Welfare Policy in a very positive way, particularly the elements of the Policy framework that address the needs and aspirations of the educated unemployed in the State. The Planning Commission appreciated the central focus of sectoral allocations in current year's plan on livelihood promotion and employment generation.
The strategic framework for 2010-11 Annual Plan includes focus on employment generation through technology transfer, skill up-gradation, multi-skilling of the youth and entrepreneurship development. The allocations signal a revival of institutional framework through re-structuring of public sector undertakings and strengthening of the credit structure. The plan outlay undertakes to pursue institutional reforms in sectors like Urban Development and Power.
The meeting reviewed with satisfaction the implementation of State Sector in PMRP which includes completion of Baglihar-I, Khanabal-Pahalgam Road, 11 Degree Colleges and 6 ITIs in the State. Projects like Narbal-Tangmarg Road, two-room tenements, 13 more Degree Colleges and 8 ITIs are expected to be completed by this year.
Reviewing the previous annual plan for the State, the meeting observed that highest ever plan expenditure of 96 percent (Rs. 5281 crores) was undertaken which reflects the dynamism and growth orientation of the State Government. The meeting also noted with satisfaction the 90 percent funds availability under PMRP with Rs. 732.47 crores has been expended out of allocated Rs. 813 crore. To streamline the process of planning and execution, Rs. 700 crore worth schemes have been implemented in the State under projectized mode and additionally Rs. 643 crore were made available as matching state share for availing maximum benefit of centrally sponsored schemes, the meeting was told. As for the monitoring of these schemes, the State has introduced 3rd party monitoring mechanism by NABCONS for 154 projects so far. Also, Mckinsey & Co. has been engaged for a pilot project on comprehensive monitoring of T&D project under PMRP.
The meeting also reviewed the implementation of flagship programmes currently under execution in the State. The meeting was informed that the total resource availability for these programmes has been Rs. 3606 crores and pace of expenditure has been stepped up considerably under ARWSP (537 uncovered habitations, 366 newly emerged habitations covered), under AIBP (irrigation potential of 39545 hectares created) and under NREGA (18892 works completed, 140 lakh mandays generated with emphasis of conversions on activities like water supply, irrigation, connectivity and forestry).
Appreciating the efforts of the State Government, the meeting noted an increase in tax revenues by the State alongwith an economic growth of 6.87% during 2009-10. The per capita income in the State during the period also rose by 8.54% and for the next year it is expected to rise by 9.92% along with buoyant increase in fruit production, handicraft sales and tourist arrivals, the meeting was told.
Wrapping up the deliberations, Dr. Ahluwalia appreciated the efforts of the State Government in bringing financial discipline and accountability. The members also welcomed the State Government for the power tariff recovery rate, rapid project completions, introduction of GI standards for Kani Shawls etc. They specifically pointed to the Chief Minister's quality standards for orphan rehabilitation released by him recently.
On the occasion, the Chief Minister, invited Dr. Ahluwalia and his team of Planning Commission to visit Kashmir. He also presented to the Planning Commission the first copy of report of NABCONS on review and monitoring of projects in the State.
Later, interacting with the waiting newsmen the Chief Minister thanked the Prime Minister and the Union Finance Minister for being credibly supportive of Jammu and Kashmir. He said in the light of funds and resource availability the State Government would do its best to bring the turn around.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
| |
|
|
|
|
 |
|
|
|
|
STOCK UPDATE |
|
|
 |
| BSE
Sensex |
 |
| NSE
Nifty |
|
|
| |
CRICKET UPDATE |
|
|
|
|
| |
| |
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
