Special Correspondent
Panaji, Apr 20: The Planning commission of India has fixed Goa’s plan size to Rs 3,320 crores for the year 2011-12, which is notably 22.51 % higher than 2010-11. The Commission announced central assistance of Rs 60 crores and Rs 200 crores for specific projects in the state.
Chief Minister, Shri. Digambar V. Kamat, met Deputy Chairman, Planning Commission, Govt. of India, Dr. Montek Singh Ahaluwalia, for the finalization of the Annual Plan 2011-12 alongwith Dy. Chairman,
Planning Board, Govt. of Goa, Dr. Wilfred de Souza and the senior officials of the Goa Government. The Planning Commission’s Members viz., Dr. Narendra Jadhav; Shri Soumitra Choudhari and others were
also present for the vital meeting for finalization of the Plan Size for the year 2011-12.
The Meeting was preceded by an earlier Meeting under the Chairpersonship of Smt. Sudha Pillai, Secretary, Planning Commission today i.e., 19/04/2011 for evaluation of the Resource Estimates of
the State for finalization of the Annual Plan Size 2011-12. The Director (Planning) Shri Anand Sherkhane,made a detailed powerpoint presentation on the important initiatives of the Government of Goa and also the achievements made by the State Government on various sectors of the economy.
The Chief Minister at the outset thanked the Dy. Chairman of the Planning Commission for all their guidance throughout the financial year and support.
The Chief Minister, mentioned that he has prepared the entire budget in the best interest and for “Aam Aadmi”. He said that his Government has for the first time decided to spent a fund to the tune of Rs.
500.00 crore for mining areas. He said that first time care has been taken of the social organizations in Goa which works for blind and special children, destitute, old and orphans, widows, etc and have
selected them for providing with financial assistance. The Chief Minister informed that he has touched every section of the society including the forgotten trustworthy women community belonging
to ST namely “Bhadel”.
The Chief Minister informed the Planning Commission that he has announced formation of the Minority Development Finance Corporation. He further emphasized that his Government is committed to take full
care of all disadvantaged, aged, vulnerable, destitute, all persons from ST, SC and OBC and other minorities and will try to bring them at par with others.
He further informed the Planning Commission that his Government is also committed for the welfare of Women and Girl child. He emphasized that in order to improve the trend of declining sex-ratio, a sincere
effort has been made for providing special incentives to the girl child.
The Chief Minister further, while seeking financial assistance from the Centre, mentioned a few specific areas/projects and requested for their consideration and sought assistance towards National Games,
Solid Waste Management , Sewerage in coastal belt, construction of Anganwadi centres, Central Library, Festival auditorium / theatre and Media centre. He also sought financial assistance for the programme of
malnourished children and anaemic women.
The Dy. Chairman, Planning Commission, in his concluding address appreciated the prevailing socio-economic standards and stated that this would still be improved upon. He however indicated that Goa need to develop modern sewerage system in view of large tourist inflow. He agreed that the State should have a festival theatre and media centre and Planning Commission appreciated the efforts of the State in the areas of Women and Child development.
The delegation included Shri. Sanjay Srivastava, Chief Secretary, Shri. T.M. Balkrishnan, Secretary to Chief Minister, Shri. S. Kumaraswamy, Finance and Planning Secretary, Shri. Anand Sherkhane,
Director (Planning) & Additional Secretary (Budget), Shri. Anupam Kishore, Additional Secretary(DMU), Shri Micheal D’souza, Joint secretary Finance, Shri Prasad Lolienkar, OSD to CM, Shri Sanjit
Rodrigues, OSD to CM, Shri Bhaskar Nayak, Director, Higher Education and Shri V. B. Saxena, Joint director Planning amongst others.