Punjab Plan for 2013-14 Finalized

The Annual Plan for the year 2013-14 for the state of Punjab was finalised here today at a meeting between Deputy Chairman, Planning Commission, Mr. Montek Singh Ahluwalia and Chief Minister of Punjab, Sh. S. Parkash Singh Badal. The plan size has been agreed at Rs16,125crore. In his comments, Deputy Chairman assured the State Government of continued support and pointed out that the issues raised by the State Government would be considered appropriately. He said Commission is aware of the water problems of the State and said the Committee under member Planning Commission, Dr. Mihir Shah has submitted report and is under consideration at present. Mr Ahluwalia said the State needs a strategy to reduce water use and should work out a policy to get out of unsustainable use of ground water. The commission pointed out that there have been raising trends of non-communicable diseases. The actionable for the State include the need to effectively manage the adverse child sex-ratio, and malnutrition and the state should work-out a suitable incentive structure for ASHAs. For public health management, the State should take a Drug De-addiction control programs. Screening and early detection of cancer and management of drug affected people under NRHM. State should also consider using Double Fortified Salt in ICDS; Mid-day-meal programme and public distribution system. Implementation of JSY is also an important issue to be considered by the State, the commission said. As the status of groundwater depletion in the State is alarming with about 80% blocks either critical or overexploited, the State need to review its water policy and invest more for recharging of groundwater, renovations of water bodies and canal systems, the commission said. Plateauing factor productivity, depletion of soil health and diversification of rice-wheat cropping system to some low water demanding crops which is compatible to existing natural resources and competitive to rise and wheat in system in terms of net returns of also needs due attention. The commission said that efforts should be made by the State for modernisation of the canal systems, improve the water use efficiency in the surface water system and increase area under irrigation with surface water and reduce the burden on the groundwater based irrigation. It is suggested or adoption of micro irrigation in command area to increase the water use efficiency. Mr Badal said the outlay for Annual Plan 2013-14 is Rs. 16,125 crore against Rs14,000 crore during the previous year showing an increase of 15%. The Annual Plan 2013-14 focuses on development of infrastructure in power, roads and rural water supply and sanitation. Health and Education continue to be the thrust areas of the Annual Plan 2013-14 with special emphasis on girl child and women empowerment. He said although the economy has slowed down during the last two years. The State has achieved an average growth rate 6.73%during the 11th plan. The national growth is expected to be 5% during 2012-13 against which the state will show an economic growth rate of 5.2%.The Gross State Domestic Product (GSDP) of the state is expected to increase from Rs.2,59,223crore in 2011-12 to Rs.2,96,007 crore in 2012-13 at current prices showing a growth rate of 14.19%, while the national economy showed a growth rate of 13.27%. Despite the locational constraints like its location on an international border and the challenge posed by militancy during the 80s, the State has the distinction of being ranked at 10th position with respect to per capita GSDP at constant prices (2004-05 prices) in the country and also above the all-India national average. Punjab is better off than All India average in all the socio-development indicators except for Sex Ratio and Child Sex Ratio. He said new industrial policy aimed at eliminating bottlenecks in growth is nearing finalization and would shortly to taken up for cabinet approval. The concerns in agriculture sector would be reflected in the policy. He said storage of food grains is a major concern and the central support was needed in encouraging private sector to construct storage capacity. He said the Centre need to announce policy initiative aimed at incentivising crop diversification and adopt less water consuming crops.