DIMAPUR, MAY 27 (MExN): After a prolonged discussion on the “difficult financial position of both the Nation as also the State, the Annual State Plan was finalized at Rs 2000 crores.” It may be mentioned that last year’s Plan Outlay was Rs 2300 crores, which included provision of Rs 300 crores as Special Development Package for Eastern Nagaland. As such the plan outlay for 2013-14 shows no improvement and is down 13 per cent from a year ago.
The press note from the Nagaland government mentioned that the Deputy Chairman, Planning Commission explained in detail the difficult fiscal situation that India is presently facing and the imperative to contain the fiscal deficit which in April-November 2012-13 was reported to be Rs. 4.13 lakh crores. For this reason, the Planning Commission had to curtail the Plan outlays of various States including the Special Category States.
The Planning Commission agreed to the State’s projected BCR gap of minus Rs. 1,440.08 crores, so as to ensure the payment of salaries and pension to employees. After covering this BCR gap, the State Plan was finalized at Rs. 2,000 crores, informed a press note issued by HK Khulu, Additional Chief Secretary & Development Commissioner.
According to the press note, the Deputy Chairman, Planning Commission further assured that there will be a review of the Plan allocation, including the Special Economic Package for Eastern Nagaland, in the month of September/October after an assessment of the India’s resource position in undertaken.
It was informed that the meeting to finalise the Annual Plan of Nagaland for the year 2013- 14 was held between Dr. Montek Singh Ahluwalia, Deputy Chairman, Planning Commission and Neiphiu Rio, Chief Minister, Nagaland at Planning Commission, New Delhi on May 27, 2013. The Chief Minister was assisted by T R Zeliang, Minister, Planning, P Longon, Deputy Chairman, State Planning Board, Alemtemshi Jamir, Chief Secretary and other senior officers.
The Chief Minister, among others, highlighted the various achievements of Nagaland during the 11th Plan period, thrust areas and the priority projects of the State for the 12th Plan and the financial outlay proposed for the State during 2013-14. The Chief Minister stated that the State Government had embarked on the policy of “Peace for Development and Development for Peace”, which was paid dividends as incidence of violence has reduced and there is a huge goodwill for development in the State. The Chief Minister stated that this theme has been appreciated by the President of India.
He substantiated by highlighting that the State achieved a growth rate of 7.44% during the 11th Plan with per capita income at current price of Rs. 67,430/-. He further stated that the performance has been especially commendable in all sectors.
The Chief Minister placed before the Planning Commission the changed perspective during the 12th Plan that would focus on urbanization and industrialization. This was envisaged to meet the growing aspiration of the youth of Nagaland. “For this, the State is actively embarking on setting up the Special Development Zones (SDZs) and conceptualizing the linear cities along a 4 lane Iconic highway from Tizit-Dimapur-Jalukie-Khelma and a parallel railway line”, informed the press note.
The Chief Minister earnestly appealed for the fulfillment of the commitments of the Special Economic Development Package for Eastern Nagaland areas and requested the Planning Commission to sanction funds at the earliest. He further stated that as a part of the Look East Policy, there is an urgent need to develop the following three roads in Nagaland, Tizit to Longwa road via Mon, NH-155 to Pangsha (Chendang Saddle-Noklak-Pangsha) road and NH-155 (from Akhewgo) to Avankhung via Wazeho to Pukhungri road.
The Chief Minister according to the press note appealed that the proposed Foothill Road and the Trans-Nagaland Frontier Highway from Mon to Avankhung along with the above three roads may be considered as “Iconic projects” for the State during the 12th Plan and take them up as “National Projects”.
 MEETING RESOLUTION.JPG)
