Deshmukh wrenches out Rs 11000 cr plan outlay

Of the sanctioned outlay, Rs 753.76 crore would have to be raised through market borrowings, while the balance Rs 10, 246. 24 lakh would have to be in the form of budgetary provisions.

After two hours of deliberations, that included Deshmukh and his finance minister Jayant Patil presenting statistical facts and figures to bolster Maharashtra's case to the Union planning commission deputy chairperson Monteksingh Ahluwalia, the increased plan outlay was cleared. Ahluwalia commended the state for maintaining a close to 7 per cent growth rate.

According to an official, who accompanied the Deshmukh-led state government delegation, the chief minister told the commission: "Maharashtra enjoys the highest output per worker, has a per capita income of Rs 27, 160 and its expenditure on health is as per global standards of 5 per cent."

The state government was commended by the commission for the estimated 6.9 per cent growth in its economy projected for 2004-2005. The state government is also seeking a total Union government assistance of Rs 39, 974 crore, of which Rs 12, 847 crore is sought as immediate assistance.

Deshmukh also informed the commission that the total developmental backlog of the state was pegged at Rs 12, 000 crore as on April 1, 2000. The state government intends to make a budgetary provision of Rs 1400 crore in the ensuring fiscal to reduce the backlog.

The Union planning commission was also informed that total Rs 33, 750 crore was required to complete all pending irrigation projects in the state. Of these 55 are major, 121 are medium, 107 are minor and 48 are lift irrigation projects.

The state also pointed out that Rs 1,500 crore was required to complete those irrigation projects that were more than 75 per cent completed that would bring around 1.75 lakh additional hectare of land under irrigation in the state.

The state government also told the commission that a sum of Rs 2000 crore was needed annually as Central assistance for the next five years for undertaking the various social infrastructure projects being undertaken in Mumbai city.