The Annual Plan for the year 2013-14 for the state of Delhi was finalised here today at a meeting between Deputy Chairman, Planning Commission, Mr. Montek Singh Ahluwalia and Chief Minister of Delhi, Smt. Sheila Dikshit. The plan size has been agreed at Rs 16,626 crore.
In his comments on the performance of the State, Mr Ahluwalia said the State has been performing to the expectation. The growth has been quite good and substantial improvement in services to the citizen is notice. The State has given thrust to improving education and health services and Planning Commission has appreciated their effort in this regard.
He said Delhi has been growing rapidly and faces numerous development challenges. Delhi Gross State Domestic Product (GSDP) growth rate during 11th Plan remains at 11.46% which much better than the national average of 8% and Delhi ranks third after Sikkim (22.78) and Uttarakhand (13.67) among 32 States/UTs. Activities under primary sectors are negligible in the State.
The fiscal performance of the State is good. The State has consistently maintained a Revenue Surplus which however has declined from 3.26% of GSDP in 2007-08 to 1.41% in 2011-12. Nevertheless, the primary deficit of the State as a percentage of GSDP has come down as well from 0.29 in 2007-08 to 0.12 in 2011-12. Delhi Government, however, has the potential to leverage its borrowing capacity to meet its investment requirements in the infrastructure sector.
It was pointed out that the Human Development Index (HDI) of the State is 0.750 which is much better than the national average of 0.467 and places Delhi at the 2nd after Kerala among 22 States. The Performance of the State in the health and educational indicators like birth rate, death rate, Infant Mortality Rate (IMR), Maternal Mortality Rate (MMR), Under-5 Mortality Rate (U-5MR), Neo Natal Mortality Rate (NMR), anaemia, under nutrition (0-3 years), literacy rate, gender gap in literacy etc. are better than the national average. However, there is a need as well as scope in the improvement of ranking of Delhi for these indicators looking at the growth rate and other developmental activates in the capital city, to become would class city.
The 12th Five Year Plan (2012-17) recently approved by the National Development Council (NDC) has identified 25 monitorable targets reflecting the vision of rapid, sustainable and more inclusive growth during this plan period. One of the monitorable targets is generation of 50 million new work opportunities in the non-farm sector and skill certification of equivalent numbers during the 12th Plan. The State needs to ensure better performance of ITIs/ITCs by effective utilization of their seating capacities and ensure proper coordination among various line departments engaged in skill training.
Briefing the Commission on State™s achievements, the Chief Minister said that Delhi/s financial position was strong with 93 % of plan being funded from own resources. Outlay for transport will increase by 46 per cent while health and medical services will get 62% more. Allocation for education will also go up by 29 per cent.
She said the Government of NCT of Delhi has taken number of initiatives for the improvement of health services. A central procurement agency has been set-up which is ensuring access to high quality and low cost drugs in all public facilities. Around 60% of population including slums and unauthorized colonies has been covered through network of ASHAs for immunization, safe delivery, new born care, improved nutrition and health education. She said four new medical colleges and five nursing schools will be set up in the 12th plan to reduce manpower shortage.
Mrs Dixit said that major initiative launched to support vulnerable household not covered under other welfare schemes is Dilli Annashree Scheme under which Aadhar linked food subsidy of Rs 600 p.m is being given. Around 1.30 lakh household would benefit under kerosene free city programme launched in august 2012. She said monthly pension for women in distress, disabled persons, SC/ST/ Minorities has been increased to Rs 1500. More than 80 per cent population has been enrolled for Aadhar cards.
She said a world class skill development centre is being set up at Jonapur under PPP in collaboration with ITE Singapore. Around 15000 youth will benefit annually from the facility. 116 services have already been brought with in the ambit of Delhi (Right of citizen to time bound delivery of services) act.
The decline in ground water levels due to rapid pace of urbanization resulting in reduced natural recharge to aquifers in NCT of Delhi is a major concern. On an average the ground water withdrawn in Delhi is 138%. In south Delhi it is 201% and in East Delhi 180% which is unsustainable. Though the number of initiatives has been taken for restoring the existing water bodies in Delhi but only 121 water bodies has been restored.
