By TCN News,
New Delhi: The Annual Plan for the year 2012-13 for the state of Jammu & Kashmir was finalised here on Friday at a meeting between Deputy Chairman, Planning Commission, Mr. Montek Singh Ahluwalia and Chief Minister of Jammu & Kashmir, Mr. Omar Abdullah. The plan size has been agreed at Rs 7,300crore.
In his comments on the plan performance of the State, Mr Ahluwalia complemented the State Government for restoring economic activity and focusing on the development of social and physical infrastructure. He said the State needs to further encourage private participation by creating an atmosphere conducive to investment. Education, health and tourism should be given priority while working out development strategy.
Chief Minister of Jammu & Kashmir, Omar Abdullah meeting the Deputy Chairman, Planning Commission, Montek Singh Ahluwalia, for finalizing plan size for 2012-13 for the State, in New Delhi on July 13, 2012. The Minister of State for Planning, Science & Technology and Earth Sciences, Dr. Ashwani Kumar is also seen.
The Commission pointed out that Tourism sector holds tremendous potential for boosting economic activities in the State by generating direct and indirect employment. Focus should be on development of infrastructure in a regulated manner through public and private partnership by extending incentives to the investor. Horticulture is emerging as a fast growing sector in the economy of the State. This contributes about 7-8% towards the GSDP. About 5 lakh families (27 lakh farmers) are involved with the Horticulture Industry directly or indirectly.
The State was advised to further accelerate the pace of economic development in the State, as there is need for building up of infrastructure like roads, power and tourism coupled with enhancing the provision for basic services such as; Health, Education, Drinking water supply etc. There is also need for greater emphasis on employment and income generation, which in turn requires skill up gradation and development of Tourism and Industrial Sectors in the State.
Attention was drawn to the gender gap in literacy and it was pointed out that as per the census 2011 the gap is 20.25% which is much higher than the national average of 16.68%. Sex Ratio (0-6years) has declined by 82 points from 941 (Census 2001) to 859 (Census 2011) which is a matter of concern.
Briefing the Commission on the strategy for the 12th plan, Mr. Abdullah said that enhanced and inclusive development is a key component of the overall strategy to build on peace dividends. He thanked Planning Commission and the Union Finance Ministry for their sensitivity and positive support to Government of J&K.
He said the major achievements of the State Government during the year include successful Panchayat Elections. The challenge is now to meet enhanced people’s expectations. The public Service Guarantee Act has been introduced in 6 Departments and 45 Services and positive results are already visible. The State Information Commission has been fully functional and the State is steadily moving towards transparency in governance. State Accountability Commission has been reconstituted and steps being taken to set up State Vigilance Commission.
He said the twelfth five year plan will focus on accelerated and sustained Growth, Growth-employment Linkage, Consolidation of Infrastructure, Empowerment of people, & building of human and institutional capacities.
The State would target a modest and realistic growth rate of 7.5% with focus on productive sectors and promoting private and public investment in the infrastructure sectors. Making growth inclusive by putting in place special component plans.