Plan panel approves Rs 2,500cr outlay for Arunachal in 2010-11

The state was advised to closely monitor progress on ongoing power projects, as their completion could help the state generate additional revenue and improve economic activities.

The Planning Commission today approved a Rs 2,500 crore plan outlay for Arunachal Pradesh in 2010-11, which includes special plan assistance of Rs 1,100 crore for projects of special interest to the state.The annual plan of the state was finalised here after a meeting between Planning Commission Deputy Chairman Montek Singh Ahluwalia and the Chief Minister of Arunachal Pradesh, Dorjee Khandu, an official statement said.

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During the meeting, commenting on the plan performance of the state, Ahluwalia said, "The geographical position of the state warrants focused attention on development of infrastructure, including road connectivity."

He said the state should make full use of the initiative, aimed at improving infrastructure in general and road connectivity in particular.

Ahluwalia said that plan realisation of the state was satisfactory and appreciated achievements in the social sector despite constraints.

The state was advised to closely monitor progress on ongoing power projects, as their completion could help the state generate additional revenue and improve economic activities.

Attention was also drawn to the widening literacy gap between the rural and urban population and human resource constraints in healthcare.

The state government was asked to accelerate implementation of citizen-centric services across the state in a time-bound manner so as to take full advantage of core infrastructure established under the national e-governance programme.

Briefing the commission on the performance of the state, the Chief Minister said, "The efforts are on to tap hydro power potential and plans are afoot to fully realise potential of 58,000 MW by the year 2021-22."

Khandu said, "The number of domestic tourists have grown by over four times, while foreign tourists by about 12 times, over the last five years."

He said the absence of an airport was coming in the way of full utilisation of the state's tourism potential.