Tripura State Annual Plan, 2007-08

The Annual Plan for Tripura for the year 2007-2008 was finalized, at a meeting between Deputy Chairman, Planning Commission Shri Montek Singh Ahluwalia and the Chief Minister of Tripura, Shri Manik Sarkar. The total Plan outlay for the year 2007-08 was agreed at Rs.804 crores against the approved outlay of Rs.1220 crores for 2007-08. This includes additional Central assistance of Rs.85 crores provided for projects of special importance to the State including infrastructure for Medical College and up-gradation of one ITI as Centre of excellence. As to the Deputy Chairman, Planning Commission, Tripura was well performing State and its social and economic indicators are on right track. He said the State should make judicious use of abundant natural resources. Development of infrastructure should be given priority. He said agriculture needs more attention and possible areas of diversification needs to be explored. Attention was drawn to the performance in the power sector and it was pointed out that ransmission losses continued to be high. The State was also asked to give more focused attention to ICDS programme and VSE sector. Development of micro finance institution was also recommended. The State was also complimented for growth in the fishery sector. The Chief Minister pointed out that seven sectors have been identified as priority sectors for overall development. These include agriculture and irrigation, drinking water, housing, road connectivity, education, health care and rural electrification. He said espite constraints public private partnership was being encouraged in all possible sectors.

He said that the State would target for 9 per cent growth rate in GDP during Eleventh Plan period. Drop out rate of children in elementary education would be reduced to zero per cent while 100 per cent enrollment of primary education would be reached by 2012. During he same period, 100 per cent literacy rate would also be reached.

He said the State badly needs improved connectivity and requested Planning Commission to persuade concerned Ministry to accelerate development in rail, telecom and road.

More over the State would work towards equitable improvement in the general standard of living of all sections of the population specially ST/SCs, religious minorities and other backward classes. Equitable development autonomous council areas would also be taken on priority additional employment opportunities in non-government sectors would be encouraged and efforts would be made to attain self-sufficiency in the production of food-grains and fish.

Source: PIB