Rs. 43,000 Cr Annual Plan Approved

The Planning Commission approved the annual plan of Andhra Pradesh for the fiscal year 2011-12, on Friday. The plan, that had an outlay of Rs. 43,000 crores, was finalised at a meeting convened by Chief Minister Kiran Kumar Reddy with Planning Commission Deputy Chairman Montek Singh Ahluwalia.

The irrigation sector got the lion's share of the outlay, walking away with Rs. 14,970 crores, and Rs. 2,000 crores of this amount will be utilised to implement accelerated irrigation programs.

Overall, 16 projects worth Rs. 3,548 crores were proposed under the tab "Externally Aided Projects" (EAP).

The sectors of rural development (Rs. 4,224 crores), urban development (Rs. 3,181 crores), welfare (Rs. 3,182 crores), education (Rs. 3,513 crores), transport (Rs. 2,929 crores) and agriculture & allied services (Rs. 2,097 crores) were among those sectors that were allocated sizeable portions of the plan.

Rs. 10,206 crores were set aside for the implementation of schemes that benefit the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes.

The Planning Commission was reportedly impressed with the performance of the sectors of agriculture and social welfare over the past year.

The CM is understood to have urged the Centre to grant the National Project status to both Polavaram and Pranahita-Chevella. He also asked for a one-time grant of Rs. 2,300 crores for the setting up of IIITs in Basara, Nuziveedu and R K Valley.