The Annual Plan for 2013-14 for the State of Uttar Pradeshwas finalised today at a meeting between ShriMontek Singh Ahluwalia, Deputy Chairman, Planning Commission and Mr.AkhileshYadav, Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh. The Plan size has been agreed at Rs.69,200crore which includes the central assistance to the State Plan of about Rs.11,225crore. In addition, an amount of about Rs.18,000crore is likely to flow from the Centre to Uttar Pradesh through various Centrally Sponsored Schemes. Thus, Plan funding from the Central Government to the State of Uttar Pradesh, from all sources, is expected to be over Rs.30,000crore during 2013-14.
In his comments Mr Ahluwalia appreciated the plan performance of the State and said that State was moving in the right direction and social indicators were positive. He said UP™s performance is very important as it will have major impact on the outcome in the 12th Plan. On the plan performance of the State, he 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 should be given priority while working out development strategy.
The State Government was appreciated for the reforms being taken up and it was pointed out that the State like Utter Pradesh can take lead in this direction and encourages others to follow. The State was advised to available benefit available under the innovation initiative of the central Government. While appreciating initiatives taken in water management, the State Government was advised to resort to optimum utilization of limited water resources while planning for five per cent growth in agriculture.
The heavy dependence on ground water for irrigation by the State is a major cause of concern the State should initiate a comprehensive study for mapping the aquifer so that use of ground water can be optimized. The funds from MGNREGA may be dovetailed to take up work in water conservation/harvesting activities. The Command Area Development activities should be implemented pari-passu with the project implementation so that the last mile connectivity to the Major & Medium Irrigation projects can be ensured.
Attention was drawn to the share of manufacturing sector/industry in GSDP and it was pointed out that it was declining in the State due to unfavourable macro-economic conditions. The proposed new industrial policy aimed at creating investor friendly environment was step in the right direction. Private investment has to be incentivised to revive the industrial sector in the State. The efforts of the State Government to develop NOIDA and greater NOIDA as a centre of excellence are appreciable. Regarding the State Government™s proposal to connect all district headquarters by four-lane roads and construct 300 bridges and 100 ROB in the State, it is suggested that State may use PPP mode for these projects so that they could avail of benefits under Viability Gap Funding Scheme.
Briefing the Commission on the development strategy, Chief Minister AkhileshYadav said that a number of new policy initiatives have been taken. State has made public its development agenda which will be strictly followed throughout the year. This includes time bound implementation of national flagship programmes and effective implementation of agriculture policy. He said infrastructure and industrial policy is being implemented to attract private investment and all district headquarters are being connected by 4 lane roads by the end of the plan while all 500 plus habitations will be connected with all-weather roads in two years.
He said the State Government would focus on development of economic infrastructure and more than 20 per cent of the outlay would be ear-marked for this sector. He said on social infrastructure the State Government was proposing to spend 32 per cent of outlay. He added that the State achieved better than national growth rate during 2012-13. Against all India average of 5.0 per cent Uttar Pradesh achievement was 5.4 per cent. Growth in agriculture was 2.6% while industry and service sectors grew by 2.8 and 7.6 per cent.
