Plan panel for allocating 6% of GDP for education

The Planning Commission today endorsed Human Resources Development Minister Arjun Singh's stand for allocating 6 per cent of the gross domestic product (GDP) to the education sector, asking the Centre and states to set aside more resources for education.

"We will try to reach the figure as soon as we can. Education is a high priority for us. Both the Centre and states should make major efforts to provide more resources for the sector," Montek Singh Ahluwalia, deputy chairman, Planning Commission, said at the Economic Editors' Conference here.

Replying to a question, Ahluwalia pointed out that before the HRD ministry sought an enhanced allocation, the Kothari Committee too had asked for it.

However, nothing had been finalised on the matter as the approach paper to the 11th Plan was yet to be given a final shape.

On the areas of concern in the plan, he mentioned agriculture and power. "Power is the area I am most concerned about. It is the most difficult,"he said.

Ahluwalia sought expansion of irrigation projects in dryland rain-fed areas. "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, Member Secretary Rajeeva Ratna Shah said, "We have received recommendations from the expert group on various schemes and will take a decision at an inter-planning meeting shortly."