Plan panel approves Rajasthan's over Rs 40K Cr outlay for FY14

NEW DELHI: Planning Commission today approved Rajasthan's annual Plan expenditure of Rs 40,500 for 2013-14 which is almost 21 per cent higher than the outlay for the current fiscal.


"We have approved an annual Plan size of Rs 40,500 crore for state for 2013-14", Commission's Deputy Chairman Montek Singh Ahluwalia told reporters.

The annual Plan for the year 2013-14 for Rajasthan was finalised here at a meeting between Ahluwalia and state Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot.

Ahluwalia complimented the state for overall performance and pointed out that during 11th Plan (2007-12) Rajasthan has achieved the highest agriculture growth of 7.9 per cent against the national average of 3.7 per cent during the five year policy period.

Overall growth of the state was also better than many others, he said and expressed hope that Rajasthan would be self-sufficient in power generation in a year's time.

During the meeting, Rajasthan was also lauded by the Commission for its innovative policies for ensuring inclusive growth in the state.

Ahluwalia said water security is a major challenge for the state and very careful approach was needed for meeting its future needs.

He said the drip irrigation and recycling of used water was desirable and state should work out strategy to meet this requirement.

He offered the Commission's support in working out a long term plan to meet water requirements for the state.

Initiatives aimed at empowering girl child and encouraging self-help groups also came in for appreciation by the Commission.

Briefing the Commission, Gehlot said that sound financial health has been achieved through innovative approach and focus of development strategy continues to be inclusive growth.

He said the thrust area for the Twelfth Five Year Plan for Electronics and IT Sector is on e-Development of India through a multi-pronged strategy.

The Chief Minister invited Deputy Chairman at the inauguration of metro rail in Jaipur in June this year and pointed out that it has been constructed in a record time of less than two and half years with the support of DMRC.