Planning Commission Allows Rs 50 cr More in Karnataka Plan size of Rs 31,000 cr

From Our Special Correspondent
Daijiworld Media Network - Bangalore

Bangalore, Mar 9: Against Karnataka’s ambitious annual plan size of Rs 31,000 crore for the year 2010-11, the Planning Commission has allowed Rs 50 core more in the plan size.

Karnataka Chief Minister B S Yeddyurappa, who had met the Deputy Chairman Dr Montek Singh Ahluwalia along with senior officials of the state government in New Delhi on Tuesday, had urged the Planning Commission to approve additional grant of Rs 3,546 crore for taking up roads and bridges, Rs 360 crore for irrigation, Rs 365 crore for drinking water and Rs 265 crore for electricity projects.

The Chief Minister wanted the Centre to endorse a special package of Rs 8,500 crores (half of the estimated deficit) for taking up infrastructure projects in Bangalore.

The other demands put forth by the state government included:  Captive coal block allotments for Chattisgarh, Yermarus, Edlapur, Kudligi, Gulbarga and Belgaum power projects; speedier execution of Dabhol to Bangalore gas pipeline including resolving the issue of pricing; Upper Bhadra Project and desilting of Tungabhadra Reservoir to be declared as National Projects; Funds in the ratio of 90:10 on the line of RMSA to be provided to implement Right to Education act; and inclusion of the state under JNNURM as and when launched. 

However, the Planning Commission’s response to the demands from the state government were not immediately known.

The Planning Commission ``appreciated the state governments initiatives in the area of power generation, Human Resource Development, especially skill development” and  was ``impressed by the performance of the state government, particularly in maintaining fiscal discipline and development initiatives,” the state government claimed.

``I am grateful to the  Deputy Chairman, Planning Commission and the Members and officers of the Planning Commission for organizing this meeting for the finalization of Karnataka’s Annual Plan 2010-11,” the chief minister said.

Yeddyurappa pointed out that the annual plan size of Rs 31,000 crore proposed by the government for the year 2010-11 was 19% more than the revised estimates of Rs 2009-10. `` In the last two years, we have identified the core sectors where we need to concentrate our efforts and resources. We have taken several new initiatives in these areas,” he explained. 

The chief minister pointed out that the government would strive to mobilize the required resources to support our development initiatives.  The fiscal deficit is well within 3% of the GSDP and the consolidated debt of the State is less than 28% of the GSDP.

``We need to step up our efforts in certain areas in order to achieve prosperity and development that we dream of for Karnataka.  For many years our national ranking has remained more or less the same,” he said.

Pointing out that the heavy rains and floods in September-October 2009 in 15 districts caused severe damage to about 4,300 villages, resulting in collapse of 6.55 lakh houses, causing enormous crop and infrastructure damage, he said state government has submitted a memorandum to the Centre for release of Rs 7047 crore from NCCF for permanent rehabilitation but secured Rs 1,457 crore.

``I wish to express our heart-felt gratitude for providing timely assistance from the NCCF,” he said.

The government has taken many initiatives to improve agricultural income. ``We propose to set up Antharaganga Micro-irrigation Corporation to focus on drip and sprinkler irrigation. We are also providing crop loans through both cooperative societies and commercial banks at 3% rate of interest. This will facilitate famers to obtain loan from Commercial banks at subsidised interest rate,” he mentioned.

The chief minister explained the government’s efforts to promote organic farming.  The “Bhoochetana programme,” taken up in 2009-10 in rain-fed lands covering 2.25 lakh hectares has shown immense improvement in yield rates up to 35%. The programme will be extended to 12.5 lakh hectares. The Jalasiri programme will be started for building 2 lakh water harvesting structures, he said.

Highlighting the state government’s resolve to provide all necessary facilities in the next three years so that children of every school in the State can acquire education at least up to 10th standard with special emphasis on girls’ education. 

The scheme of providing free bicycles to the boys and girls studying in high schools has given great encouragement to the rural children for continuing their studies. Under the Rashtriya Madhyamika Shiksha Abhiyana, programmes have been formulated to achieve all-round development of 545 high schools at a cost of Rs 700 crore. As many as 74 Model High Schools will also be established under the above scheme in the year 2010-11.

A total of 2.64 lakh teachers are working in government primary schools, with a ratio of one teacher for every 28 students.  The ratio is very favourable when compared to the ratio of one teacher to 40 students as per the national yardstick, he said pointing out that at present only 12% of youth were studying for higher education in Karnataka.  It is proposed to increase this to 25% in the coming years.