Goa's plan outlay
fixed at Rs. 1430 cr.
Agencies, New Delhi
24 October 2007
A Rs. 1,430-crore annual plan for Goa was finalised at a
meeting here on Tuesday between Planning Commission Deputy
Chairman Montek Singh Ahluwalia and Chief Minister Digambar
Kamat.
The outlay includes an additional Central assistance of Rs.
25 crore for priority projects.
It was agreed that the plan size could go up to Rs. 1,595
crore, subject to certain court orders which could enable
the state to raise another Rs. 165 crore.
Lower poverty level
Initiating the discussions at the meeting, Dr. Ahluwalia
lauded the state for its achievements in literacy and poverty
eradication.
Compared to the national average poverty level of 27.5 per
cent, Goa has a poverty level of 13.8 per cent, as per the
Commission’s estimates for 2004-05.
The state’s literacy rate also increased from 75.51
per cent in 1991 to 82.32 per cent in 2001. However, the Commission
drew the Chief Minister’s attention to the declining
sex ratio and the gender gap in the work force.
Briefing the Commission on Goa’s performance and objectives,
Mr. Kamat said the State Government was moving towards the
next stage of development aimed at achieving the standards
of a developed state by 2012.
IT infrastructure
To achieve the goals, Mr. Kamat said requisite IT infrastructure
was being put in place for moving towards a knowledge economy.
Efforts were on to create an investment-friendly climate
so as to generate more employment. Hundred per cent literacy
would be achieved by 2010.
On fiscal initiatives, he said the required FRBM legislation
had already been enacted and a revenue plus position achieved
two years ahead of target.
The fiscal deficit, he said, had also been brought under
check.
A separate fund was being contemplated to take care of the
pension liabilities, he said.
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