Himachal Pradesh has proposed Rs. 22800-cr for 12th Five Years Plan (2012-13 to 2016-17) and Annual Plan 2012-13 for Rs. 3700 crore. This was decided in Himachal Pradesh State Planning Board meeting held here today under the Chairmanship of Chief Minister Prem Kumar Dhumal.
Chief Minister said that the proposed outlay Rs. 22800 crore for 12th Five Years Plan was 65 percent more than the 11th Five Years Plan approved outlay of Rs. 13778 crore. He said that target of 9.5 percent growth rate had been envisaged for 12th Five Years Plan as compared to 9 percent fixed at the national level. Prem Kumar Dhumal said that proposed increase in 12th Five Years Plan was almost double from the last five years plan as it was fixed at Rs. 13778 crore in comparison to Rs. 10300 crore spent during 10th Five Years Plan period 2002-2007.
Chief Minister said that endeavours of his Government had remained to get maximum increase in the plan allocation which was evident also from the fact that his Government during last tenure got Five Years Plan of Rs. 10300 crore approved for the period 2002-07 which was 70 percent more than the 9th Five Years Plan 1997-2002 approved during Congress regime.
Dhumal added that endeavours of the Government would be to ensure utilization of plan funds fully besides getting maximum assistance under Normal Central Assistance, Additional Central Assistance and also externally funding under various projects.
He referred to injustice done by the 13th Finance Commission which had not considered the liabilities of the State on account of revision of pay scales, pension and had underestimated such type of committed liabilities of the State. Moreover 13th Finance Commission has increased the grant of almost all States by 126 percent whereas in respect of Himachal Pradesh it has been increased by 50 percent in comparison to grant given by the 12th Finance Commission. Had Himachal Pradesh been given grant as provided to other States then State would have got Rs. 10725 crore additional grant for the period 2010-2015. Dhumal said that he has requested the Prime Minister of India to provide special plan assistance of Rs. 5214 crore which include Rs. 2500 crore on account of special plan assistance and Rs. 2714 crore under estimated committed liabilities of the State.
Chief Minister said that financial year 2012-13 was the first year of the 12th Five Years Plan and Rs. 3700 crore had been proposed for it which was 12.12 percent more than the last annual plan. He said that for next year Rs.914.64 crore had been proposed under Scheduled Castes Sub Plan and Rs. 333 crore under Tribal Sub Plan. Dhumal said that like previous year social services sector had been accorded top most priority in next year by allocating Rs. 1189.56 crore which was 32.15 percent of the total plan outlay for 2012-13. He said that second priority has been accorded for transportation and communication sector by allocating Rs. 778.76 crore which was 21.05 percent of total annual plan. He said that this would help in accelerating the pace of construction of roads, maintenance and strengthening of transportation means in the State. Third priority has been accorded for energy by allocating Rs. 581.92 crore which was 15.73 percent of the total annual plan. Agriculture and allied sectors had been accorded next priority by allocating Rs. 480.30 crore which was 12.98 percent of the total plan outlay. He said that this percentage was the highest in the country and State Government’s endeavours in this respect had been appreciated at national level.
Chief Minister said that for ensuring all-round development of the State, the Government had implemented various ambitious schemes with special emphasis to benefit the common man. Dhumal said that Himachal Pradesh had been adjudged first in the country in the implementation of 20 Point Programme during last consecutive two years and had also maintained this position during current financial year so far.
Chief Minister said that emphasis had also been laid on creating employment and self employment opportunities for the youth. He said that more than 25000 persons had been provided employment in government sector alone by the present Government. He said that technical education had also been accorded added priority so as to ensure self employment to the youth. Besides self employment was also being ensured by implementing Pandit Deen Dayal Kisan Baagwan Samridhi Yojna, Crop Diversification Scheme, Doodh Ganga Yojna, Apple Rejuvenation Scheme and a number of tourism schemes.
Chief Secretary Rajwant Sandhu said that endeavours of the government had remained on regular monitoring and effective implementation of plan and other developmental schemes as a result of which State had been getting good ranking in various developmental indicators. She said that for effective implementation of schemes and welfare programmes Result Framework Document (RFD) had also been prepared in respect of various public dealing departments which would further help in effective implementation of schemes and yielding good results. Chief Secretary said that every department would ensure effective implementation of plan and other schemes so as to achieve tangible results.
Dr. Shrikant Baldi, Principal Secretary, Planning welcoming the Chief Minister and others detailed the priorities for the next Five Years Plan as well as next Annual Plan. Non official members of the Board gave their valuable suggestions during the discussions on the priorities being fixed for the next Five Years Plan. Gulab Singh Thakur, Public Works Minister, Ravinder Singh Ravi, Irrigation and Public Health Minister, Ramesh Dhawala, Food and Civil Supplies Minister, Mahender Singh, Transport Minister, Additional Chief Secretaries, Principal Secretaries and other senior officers of the State Government were also present at the meeting.
