Hooda supports the proposals of 12th Plan aiming at faster, more inclusive and sustainable growth

by Haryananewswire

CHANDIGARH, DEC 27

Haryana Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh  Hooda has  fully endorsed the proposals of 12^th Plan with its objective of achieving a faster, more inclusive and sustainable growth.  Speaking at the 57^th meeting of the National Development Council today at Vigyan Bhawan, New Delhi, Mr Hooda also appreciated the excellent work done by the Planning Commission in formulating the 12^th Plan document. Mr Hooda said that the country’s economy has exhibited tremendous resilience in the face of grave economic adversities. He appreciated the central leadership for steering the national economy in difficult times.

The meeting  was inaugurated by Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh, which was attended by the Chief Ministers of different states, Central Ministers and  Senior Officers of Centre and States .

 At the meeting, Mr Hooda  reiterated the demand that MSP for agricultural produce should be fixed at 50 per cent more than the cost of cultivation. This will not only sustain the interest of farmers in agriculture, but will also help in accelerated growth of agriculture for achieving the goal of inclusiveness. Haryana at present is the second largest contributor to the national food basket with highest wheat productivity.

            Mr Hooda, said that during the plan period of 11^th Plan, Haryana spent about 123 per cent of initially approved outlay i.e Rs 43,161 crore in place of Rs 35,000 crore. Haryana achieved 9.1 per cent growth rate in GSDP. The per capita income in Haryana was Rs 1,08,859 during 2011-12, which brings Haryana to the first position among major States in the country. In resource management also, Haryana has performed well. It was able to mop up resources to the extent of 192 per cent of the projected mobilization against the national average of 92.5 per cent. For the 12^th Five Year Plan, Haryana has proposed an outlay of Rs 90,000 crore against Rs 35,000 crore in 11^th Plan, he said.

            Mr Hooda said that after achieving 3.3 per cent annual growth rate in agriculture in 11^th Plan, a target of 4 per cent has been set for 12^th Plan. He emphasized that the rate of interest on crop loans should not exceed 4 per cent per annum and for non-agricultural loans, it should not exceed 7 per cent. He also said that there is lot of scope for diversification of agriculture and improving yields through protected cultivation. Haryana has set up a Centre of Excellence of Vegetables in Karnal district under protected cultivation. But the exorbitant rate of interest on loans for protected cultivation is a real dampener. Mr  Hooda  suggested that this rate should be reduced to 4 per cent to encourage farmers to adopt such farm practices.

            Mr Hooda said that water is the most critical input for agriculture and condition of water resources in the state is extremely precarious. Water availability in the state is only 14 MAF as compared to the requirement of 36 MAF. Although Satluj Yamuna Link (SYL) canal has been constructed, but it has not been operationalised inspite of the directions of the Supreme Court.  Punjab has unilaterally terminated the water agreement, resulting in loss of water availability to Haryana.

            Mr Hooda said that during 11^th Plan period 3463 MW power generation capacity has been added in the State. But, power situation in the State is suffering for want of proper policy guidelines for supply of coal and gas. Due to short supply of coal, existing power plants are remaining idle. Government of India proposes to allocate new coal blocks to power utilities. Haryana, which is bereft of both hydro and thermal sources for Power generation, should be considered on priority in the new proposal, he said.

            Referring to the industrial progress of the state, Mr Hooda said that a number of important points contained in the Approach Paper to the 12^th Five Year Plan have already been incorporated in our new Industrial and investment policy 2011. The Policy emphasizes the adoption of cluster development approach with provision for centers of excellence as common facilities to boost the growth of MSME Sector.

            Mr Hooda said that Haryana continues to be a preferred investment destination. Investment to the tune of Rs.61,000 crore have been catalysed during past 7 years and investment of Rs 97,000 crore is in the pipeline. The state has taken up the implementation of several infrastructure projects, including development of the Manesar- Bawal Investment Region, as part of the Delhi Mumbai Industrial corridor, development of KMP expressway, extension of Delhi Metro connectivity to Gurgaon, Faridabad and Bahadurgarh and a number of  other projects.  

            Mr Hooda requested that minimum size of National Investment Manufacturing Zones should be reduced from 5000 hectares of land to 1000 hectares, so that small states like Haryana do not suffer.

Mr Hooda also referred to the critical issue of CST compensation and said that Haryana has suffered  loss of Rs 3100 crore on account of reduction of CST rate from 4 per cent to 2 per cent and during the current year also the loss will be to the tune of Rs 3500-3600 crore. Such a huge loss of over Rs. 6000 crore will have a crippling effect on the state finances, unless the state government is duly and promptly compensated for the loss.

He urged Government of India as well as the Planning Commission to drop the arbitrary distinction of dividing the expenditure into Plan and Non-Plan. Instead, it would be desirable to follow the classification of Revenue and Capital expenditure. 

            Referring to the implementation of various centrally sponsored schemes, Mr Hooda said that some decisive steps should be taken, so that states can improve the design and delivery of various development interventions. Mr Hooda suggested that states should be given a lump sum amount with certain broad guidelines and it should be left to states to design and implement the required programmes of schemes.

            Mr Hooda also gave some suggestions and put up some demands on various issues. On financing PMGSY projects, Mr Hooda said that state share should not exceed 25 per cent. For the establishment of ITI’s and skill development centers in PPP mode under the Kaushal Vikas Yojana, guidelines should be issued at the earliest. Economically and literacy-wise backward districts of Mewat, Jhajjar and Rewari should also be covered under the Backward   Region Grant Fund. Under Indira Awas Yojana, grant for construction of dwelling unit should be increased to at least Rs 1 lakh per unit. Gurgaon city is growing in population and there is huge pressure on its infrastructure. As such, Gurgaon should be included under JNNURM. For Panchkula also separate allocation should be made under JNNURM.

            During the meeting, Mr Hooda also referred to the recent incident of gang rape in Delhi. Condemning the incident Mr Hooda said that Haryana Government has initiated effective measures to check crimes against women in the State.