ess Trust of India / New Delhi November 7, 2006The Planning Commission today supported Human Resource Development Minister Arjun Singh's stand for allocating 6% of gross domestic product (GDP) to the education sector and asked the central government and states to allocate more resources."We will try to reach the figure as soon as we can. Education is a high priority for us. Both the central government and states should make major efforts to provide more resources for the sector," Montek Singh Ahluwalia, deputy chairman of Planning Commission, said at the Economic Editors Conference here.Education is a very high priority sector for us, he said, adding more resources were needed for primary, secondary and higher education.Replying to a question, Ahluwalia said before the HRD Ministry sought the enhanced allocation, the Kothari Committee too had asked for it. Hence, the ministry's contention for 6% GDP allocation is tenable. However, nothing has been finalised on the matter as the Approach Paper to the 11th Plan was yet to be given final shape. On the areas of concern for the plan, Ahluwalia mentioned agriculture and power. "Power is the area I am most concerned about. It is the most difficult," he said.Ahluwalia stressed on expanding irrigation projects in dryland rainfed areas which have seen little improvement. "Through efficient use of water, agriculture can be encouraged in dryland areas," he reasoned.In reply to a query on reprioratisation of centrally sponsored schemes, Rajeeva Ratna Shah, member secretary, said: "We have received recommendations from the expert group on various schemes and will take a decision at the inter-planning meeting shortly."PTI adds: Montek Singh Ahluwalia, deputy chairman of the Planning Commission today said the country will fall short of achieving the targeted average growth rate of 8% during the 10th Plan period due to slowdown in the manufacturing sector.The country would finish the 10th Plan period - ending in March 2007 - with an average growth of 7.2%, Ahluwalia said at the Economic Editor's Conference in New Delhi this afternoon.The 7.2% growth rate is the highest so far, Ahluwalia said. "Growth is taking place in a much more open world and the industry is also looking very confident," he said.Growth in the manufacturing sector during 2002-07 as a whole was not satisfactory and the sector has grown not more than 7% on average. The targeted 9% economic growth for the 11th Plan, however, is achievable, Ahluwalia said.Asked about areas of concern, he said agriculture and power were areas of concern."Power is the area I am most concerned about, as it is the most difficult area," he added.
