By IANS,
Agartala : Economic growth in the northeast in the 11th Five
Year Plan could be hit due to poor infrastructural facilities and global
economic meltdown, a Planning Commission official said Tuesday.
“The projected 9 percent economic growth during (2007-12) might not be
achieved as the region is also affected by the world-wide economic meltdown,
coupled with weak infrastructure and fragile connectivity,” said Bhalchandra
Mungekar, a member of the commission.
Mungekar is in Tripura, leading a Planning Commission team to review the
growth and planning of six vital sectors including education.
“Despite terrorism, the growth rate of Manipur (11 percent) and Tripura
(8.8 percent) are encouraging,” he observed.
“The Planning Commission has asked the North Eastern Council (NEC) to
evolve a mechanism for even distribution of funds among the states (in the
region),” Mungekar said.
The NEC is the regional planning body of the northeastern region. Of late
it has undertaken an ambitious ‘Vision 2020’ plan for all-round development
of the region.
The “Vision 2020” document, released by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh July
last year, seeks to spur investment, reduce poverty, enhance connectivity
and bring the backward region on par with the rest of the country by 2020.
A hefty fund to the tune of Rs.14 trillion would be required to implement
the project.
The per capita income in the northeast on an average is Rs.12,918 as
compared to the national average of Rs.17,947 at current prices.
The Planning Commission team has appreciated the development of human index
in Tripura and few other northeastern states.
“Tripura has done very well among all Indian states in respect to tribal
development and reducing school drop out,” Mungekar added.