Himachal to get Rs 1,800 cr in '07

The Planning Commission has approved a Rs 1,800- crore annual Plan for Himachal Pradesh for 2006-07, which is Rs 200 crore more than the 2005-06 Plan size.

The annual Plan outlay was finalised here during a meeting between Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh and Deputy Chairman of the Planning Commission Montek Singh Ahluwalia here today.

According to the chief minister, the social sector has been accorded a higher priority and has been allocated 43.90 per cent at Rs 790.30 core.

"The transport and communication sector has been allocated Rs 294 crore, and agriculture and allied services Rs 225.10 crore," he said. From the total outlay for 2006-07, transport and communication, agriculture and allied services will get 16.33 per cent and 12.51 per cent, respectively.

The state government plans to build 8,216 housing units and 585 km of roadways in 2006-07.

Stating that the state government planned to attract private sector participation in several sectors to speed up development, he said the education sector would be opened up soon. "The state government will encourage private sector participation and work as a facilitator and regulator," the chief minister said.

He said a comprehensive power policy had been formulated for faster exploitation of hydroelectricity potential.

"Of the 20,368 Mw potential, projects for 6,067 Mw have already been set up, and the state government is exploring the possibility of setting up 7,602 Mw projects with the help of the private sector," the chief minister said.

Of the 1,767 Mw power projects, already announced by the state government, 1,346 Mw generation capacity would be offered through international bidding process and the remaining 421 Mw would be executed through the MoU route, he added.