Uttarakhand’s Annual Plan 2013-14 was finalised at Rs8,500 crore during a meeting between Planning Commission Deputy Chairman Montek Singh Ahluwalia and Uttarakhand Chief Minister Vijay Bahuguna.
Ahluwalia said the commission was aware of the infrastructure deficit in Uttarakhand and constraints in meeting the cost of core development. He said the State needs to further encourage private sector participation as improved infrastructure would help it fully tap the potential of sectors like tourism, while serving as a catalyst for the economy in all regions.
Ahluwalia lauded Uttarakhand for speedy development and noticeable improvement, despite constraints, and appreciated achievements in education and health.
Members of the Planning Commission pointed out that States could help the Centre in improving efficiency of Centrally-sponsored schemes by pointing out implementation hurdles. They were of the opinion that such suggestions would help in timely corrections and help reach targets faster.
The Planning Commission recognised the relevance of developing Tehri Dam area as an international tourism destination and asked the State to give a full presentation on the project, to evolve a funding plan.
Bahuguna pointed out that the Union’s industrial package 2003-13 was prematurely withdrawn in 2010, with adverse affects. He also requested a special grant to provide adequate facilities to tourists/pilgrims, as Uttarakhand had dual responsibilities of facilitating a population which is three to four times the population of the State. Creating civic amenities for tourists/pilgrims was an extra burden on the State’s limited resources, he added.
Eliciting focus on physical infrastructure, Bahuguna said more than 200 villages were situated at the mouth of landslides. Resettlement and rehabilitation before disaster strikes would need huge resources — an estimated Rs500 crore.
Uttarakhand has to support creation of attractive industrial and social infrastructure to remain an attractive location for further investment. According to the CM, a new policy had been approved to fast-track infrastructure development through public-private partnership (PPP). Twelve such projects are being successfully implemented while another 57 are in the pipeline.
Investor-friendly policies have resulted more than Rs 35,000 crore influx and generated employment for two lakh persons.
Bahuguna sought the Planning Commission’s support for a green bonus to protect forests and compensation for power projects stalled due to not receiving environmental clearances.
He told Ahluwalia that the State was nevertheless well set to achieve growth rate target for the Twelfth Plan. Meanwhile, agriculture will continue to be the focus of the development strategy, as over 60 per cent population is dependent on it.
The meeting was attended by Union Minister of State for Planning Rajiv Shukla, Uttarakhand Planning Minister Dinesh Aggarwal and senior bureaucrats.