Montek flays NDA govt policies

NEW DELHI: New Deputy Chairman of Planning Commission Montek Singh Ahluwalia on Monday criticised the previous NDA government for neglecting agriculture and infrastructure sectors which resulted in less than six per cent average annual growth rate in the last five to six years. Even as there was a policy framework for the development of infrastructure, the environment was not very conducive for the required public-private partnership to achieve the desired level of infrastructure in the country, Ahluwalia told reporters immediately after assuming charge. Agriculture deserves more attention as the growth has decelerated in the last five years, he said. Asked whether the Vajpayee government had neglected agriculture, Ahluwalia said I would like to say that it (agriculture) deserved much more attention. Agriculture continues to be a matter of deep concern as the growth in the last five years has decelerated, he said adding that if the growth in the agrarian sector is not reversed achieving the targetted growth of 7-8 per cent by the UPA government will be difficult. He said all these issues would be taken up during the Mid-Term Review of the ongoing 10th Five-Year Plan and, if required, the Commission would recommend to the government on the ways and means to achieve the desired goals as promised in the Common Minimum Programme (CMP) of the government. Exuding confidence that 7-8 per cent average growth rate during the 10th Plan was achievable , Ahluwalia said, Given the present average growth rate of less than six per cent we have to do a much better job to achieve the target. He also indicated that the Commission would be consulting the experts outside the Government for a comprehensive review of the policies and the 10th plan to lay emphasis on the targets especially the social infrastructure like health and education and agriculture. On the crucial and much-talked about social infrastructure (health and education), he said, A proper policy was in place during the previous government but may be that allocation of funds was not sufficient to meet the desired goals. Certain kind of infrastructure would require more public investment especially the rural infrastructure. Ahluwalia, who also served as a member of the previous commission headed by KC Pant, declined to comment on specific issues like Employees Provident Fund, subsidies and gross budgetary support for the current financial year. I have views on all these issues but I would like to comment on all only after talking to the other members of the Commission and after the presentation of the Union Budget on July 8, he added. Asked whether the government would have to take a hard decision to achieve the desired growth rate, he said the CMP provides for enough scope for taking such decisions.

Montek flays NDA govt policies

New Deputy Chairman of Planning Commission Montek Singh Ahluwalia on Monday criticised the previous NDA government for neglecting agriculture and infrastructure sectors which resulted in less than six per cent average annual growth rate in the las...

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