Assam's plan outlay for '03-04 pegged at Rs 1,780 cr

NEW DELHI: The annual plan for Assam for financial year 2003-04 was finalised at Rs 1,780 crore on Tuesday at a meeting between Planning Commission deputy chairman KC Pant and Assam chief minister Tarun Gogoi.
This includes additional Central assistance of Rs 61 crore for schemes of special interest to the state. The additional Central assistance has Rs 15 crore earmarked for development of infrastructure for organising the National Games.
Briefing the Commission on performance of the state, Mr Gogoi said that it has recorded a positive trend and last year, Assam had recorded 3.2% growth. Zero-base budgeting has been introduced in various sectors and priority was being given to construction of roads and bridges, Mr Pant added.
Complimenting the state for efforts to improve its financial situation, Mr Pant told Mr Gogoi the state needs to actively follow suggestions made in the State Development Report as it provides a strategy for faster growth rate. The report has pointed out that the state has to play an important role in the provision of social services and good governance.
Mr Pant also pointed out that policy bottlenecks in implementation of the North-East industrial policy needed to be removed.
He said the proper identification, use and scientific management of all natural resources and preservation and proper documentation of indigenous knowledge particularly in the field of bamboo, wild medicinal plants and herbs will be of immense use to people.