Wednesday, June 6, 2012

Mizoram Plan for 2012-13 Finalized

The Annual Plan for the year 2012-13 for the state of Mizoram was finalised here today at a meeting between Deputy Chairman, Planning Commission, Montek Singh Ahluwalia and Chief Minister of Mizoram, PU Lalthanhawla. The plan size has been agreed at Rs 2300 crore.

He said thrust will be on the food grain production & productivity to reduce food grain deficit and ultimately attain self-sufficiency by raising Plan allocation for Agriculture & Allied Sector through continued implementation of comprehensive and integrated socio-economic development project under the New Land Use Policy of the state Government. Industries: investment in agro-based industries, food processing, micro industries, and bamboo based industries would be promoted.

As a result of investment made in developmental activities since Fourth Five Year Plan, significant progress has been achieved in the sectors of Road Transport, Power, Education and Health. While 94.4% of the villages have been connected with approach roads and 61.19% villages have been connected by all-weather roads, 81.31% of the villages have been electrified. According to census 2011 the literacy level is 91.58% has placed Mizoram next to Kerala 93.91%.

Some sector like transport, education and health have expanded rapidly contributing to the tertiary sector income. Data indicates that tertiary sector is the main source of income in the state (69%) although agriculture and allied activities constitute the mainstay of the economy.

Brief the Commission on plan performance and priorities of the Government during 12th plan, the Chief Minister said the State has maintained fiscal discipline. Fiscal deficit has been restricted at 2.4 per cent and since 2003-04 revenue surplus has been maintained. He said the State has introduced new power policy, revised industrial policy and adopted new land use and management policy to give necessary impetus to the development strategy.

The Chief Minister requested that the central guidelines creating problems and guidelines contradictory to the basic objectives of central schemes should be amended better convergence of State plan with central schemes should be attempted by allocating more untied fund so that State may avail more funds under various CSS and central Ministries.