Ahluwalia in a statement on Monday said the state had grown at eight per cent during the 11th Plan and in 2011-12, it grew at 11.5 per cent. However, negative growth in agriculture was a matter of concern and it should focus on accelerating growth in this sector.
He said initiatives aimed at encouraging private participation in social and physical infrastructure development should continue. In the social sector, human development indicators were showing improvement and the state should take a lead in tackling problem of malnutrition among children. Appreciating the state for setting up a capital development fund, he said it would boost infrastructure development through the PPP mode.
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Meanwhile, the chief minister drew attention of the commission to the Plan performance and initiatives taken and said the state was all set to grow at 9.58 per cent during the current fiscal.
He said the government was keen to encourage Students' Entrepreneurship. In this year's Budget, under various heads, Rs 75 crore had been allotted towards this end. Since unemployment of educated youth was a major problem in Kerala, he sought central support for this initiative.
On negative growth in agriculture, he said viability could be improved if interest-free loan was provided in a targeted manner to genuine cultivators based on area cultivated. Nabard should provide adequate loans at the existing seven per cent interest through banks to genuine farmers.
He said a major concern facing the state now was the Nitaqat policy of Saudi Arabia and this could result in a large-scale return of Keralites. The state would require Centre's assistance in providing rehabilitation package for these people.