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TN targets 5% GDP growth in 2013-14

The increase in the allocation would give a fillip to the economy

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BS Reporter Chennai
Last Updated : Jan 30 2014 | 9:16 PM IST
The Tamil Nadu government has increased the Plan expenditure target in 2013-2014 to Rs 37,128 crore, and this would further be raised to Rs 42,185 crore in 2014-2015, said governor K Rosaiah in his customary address to the state Assembly.

The increase in the allocation would give a fillip to the economy, he said.

"Though the growth in 2012-2013 was 4.14 per cent, we expect growth to revive and comfortably exceed 5 per cent during 2013-2014. There is a revival in industrial and agricultural production, which would result in a rebound in the service sector growth," the governor said.

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"This (the economic slowdown in the country) has particularly affected Tamil Nadu, which is primarily led by manufacturing and exports. Against this tide, this government is determined to revive the economy and improve the general economic environment," he said.

The dream of inclusive growth has become a reality in the state, as it has placed the highest emphasis on equitable development and on greater participation of the common people in the socio-economic development.

"Problems of poverty and unemployment are being comprehensively dealt with. Several infrastructure projects with the potential to trigger the long-term economic growth have been planned and executed," said the Governor.

He noted there were some challenges, which could have been overcome with fortitude and resolute action. Tamil Nadu is a water-starved state and is subject to vagaries of the monsoons.

"In spite of all such challenges, I am sure that our state would emerge victoriously from this difficult situation with the current administration," he said.

The year 2012-2013 witnessed a severe drought, hitting agricultural production hard and impairing economic growth. But the state was able to overcome the calamity of widespread crop failure due to the Rs 1,614-crore relief package announced by the chief minister.

Food grain production to be high
Despite Tamil Nadu facing a shortfall of 33 per cent in the north-east monsoon, the foodgrain production is expected to surpass 10 million tonnes in 2013-2014.

The state has fixed the minimum support price (MSP) for paddy at Rs 1,360 per quintal and Rs 1,415 per quintal for common and fine varieties respectively during the 2013-2014 kharif season, which was much above the MSP of Rs 1,310 and Rs 1,345 fixed by the Centre.

Similarly, it has fixed the state advised price (SAP) for sugarcane at Rs 2,650 per metric tonne (MT), inclusive of Rs 100 per MT for transportation cost, even though the Centre had fixed the fair and remunerative price at Rs 2,100 per MT for the current year.

"This government lays special emphasis on improving the production and productivity of agricultural crops by adopting strategies like disseminating high-end technologies, popularising micro irrigation and promoting farm mechanisation," he said .

Portal for job training and placements
As part of its skill development mission, the state plans to launch a job portal for training and placement services.

The portal will be a single point of information source on job counseling, training and placement facilitation.

The state will seek funding and technical support for the skill development mission from international funding agencies.

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First Published: Jan 30 2014 | 8:25 PM IST

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