The Planning Commission has approved an annual plan outlay of Rs. 34,000 crore for Bihar for the financial year 2013-14.
The plan size was finalized in a meeting between Planning Commission Deputy Chairman Montek Singh Ahluwalia and Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar here last evening.
Ahluwalia complemented the State Government for plan performance and for achieving higher growth rate during 11th five-year plan period.
He said the 11th plan has seen convergence of growth pattern among States, on per capita income the process of narrowing of gap between developed and developing States is not that encouraging. He said on this count even Bihar has shown much more encouraging results.
Ahluwalia also complemented the State government for introducing Mission Manav Vikas in its plan programme, which would help in monitoring human development index in the State through 20 monitorable targets.
He said this was in line with the Commission's initiative in the 12th plan which sought similar action from all States. State initiative to standardise education through programme Gunvarta was also appreciated.
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The State Government was also complemented for achievements in education and health sectors.
It was pointed that literacy level of the state has improved to 63.82 percent in 2011 from 47.53 percent a decade ago, but is still lower than the 74.04 percent literacy rate achieved at all India level. However, female literacy rate is a cause of concern as the male literacy in Bihar is 73.39 percent and female literacy is 53.33 percent compared to the national literacy level of 82.14 percent for males and 65.46 percent for females in 2011.
The Commission pointed that the Accelerated Irrigation Benefit Programme (AIBP) is being revamped so that the gap between potential created and potential utilised in the irrigation sector is reduced substantially.
Nitish Kumar briefed the commission on the achievements of the State and future strategy.
He said the State would be targeting a growth rate of 13 per cent in the current plan which would include 7 per cent growth in agriculture for which a road map has been drawn. Drip and sprinkle irrigation would be encouraged to improve productivity. Infrastructure development especially in road, electricity and irrigation would get top priority.
He said these sectors are considered vital for development of the State and Centre should give special assistance for the same.