Planning Commission approves Sikkim's Rs 2,060-crore outlay for 2013-14

NEW DELHI: The Planning Commission today approved Sikkim's annual Plan expenditure of Rs 2,060 crore for the current fiscal, which is 9.75 per cent higher than that for 2012-13.

The state's annual Plan outlay was approved here in a meeting between Planning Commission Deputy Chairman Montek Singh Ahluwalia and Sikkim Chief Minister Pawan Chamling, an official release said.

Ahluwalia said the economic growth of the state achieved during the 11th Plan period (2007-12) was better-than-expected and social indicators do pointed out that inclusiveness was also achieved.

"Poverty ratio in Sikkim has declined by about 10 percentage points. The state needs to match up with the national average to perk up its ranking. The monthly per capita income of people of Sikkim, both urban and rural, has been well above the national average," he said.

Briefing the Commission during the meeting, the Chief Minister said, "In terms of financial allocations social services sector' was accorded the highest priority during 11th Five-Year Plan, followed by rural development and education."

Chamling said that state has managed to leverage its natural advantages and central resources to bring the growth rate of its economy and per capita income at successful level.

The industrial base comprises fruit processing, brewing and distilling and pharmaceuticals companies. Tourism accounts for almost 8 per cent of the GSDP.

State is dependent on central transfers and has relatively high level of capital expenditure which has sometimes resulted in very large fiscal deficits.