With food production logging an all-time record and continuous thrust towards micro, small and medium industries, Assam is likely to witness a 9 per cent growth in its GDP by the end of the 12th Five Year Plan.
This will be significantly higher compared to 6.86 per cent achieved during the 11th Plan, Assam Governor Janaki Ballav Patnaik said today after hoisting the National Flag on the 65th Republic Day here.
"The annual average economic growth rate registered during the 11th Five Year Plan was 6.86 per cent. This is expected to reach 9 per cent by the end of the 12th Five Year Plan if the current trend continues," he said.
The state is revenue surplus and there has been a steady increase in the collections on account of various fiscal measures adopted by the state government, he added.
"Plan fund allocation for Assam for the year 2013-14 was Rs 12,500 crore which is 16.66 per cent higher over the plan size of 2012-13," Patnaik said.
Talking about agriculture, the Governor said the Centre has categorised Assam among the 'highest ranked states' for production of food grains.
"The state has achieved an all time high production of 52.33 lakh metric tonne (MT) of rice with an overall food grain production of 56 lakh MT during 2012-13," he added.
Agriculture in the state is diversifying into activities such as horticulture, floriculture, organic farming, dairy and fishery products.
On the industrial front, Patnaik said: "The state government has initiated various programmes for development of micro, small and medium enterprises and handicrafts sector.
"The government has also been implementing schemes for economic development of traditional artisans and micro and small units under CM's special package."
Besides, a plastic park is being set up at Gelapukhuri in Tinsukia district that will facilitate over 500 downstream industries, providing job opportunities to around five lakh people, he added.
He said the Brahmaputra Cracker and Polymer Ltd plant in the state is expected to be commissioned shortly.
The power situation in the state is likely to improve with commissioning of 120 MW Lower Kopili Hydro Electric Project, 70 MW Lakwa, 100 MW Namrup and 750 MW Bongaigaon Thermal Power Stations, he added.
Assam provided electricity to nearly 10 lakh BPL families in the last 5 years with electrification of 8,078 new villages and intensification of 12,502 already electrified villages.
Patnaik said the government has rolled out various schemes for employment generation and 71 lakh persons were provided with self-employment avenues in the last 13 years.
On inflation, he said strict measures have been enforced to check price rise of essential commodities, besides recently delisting fruits and vegetables from the purview of Assam Agricultural Produce Market Act 1972 to make them tax-free.
Like in other states, Assam will also implement the National Food Security Act, covering 84.17 per cent population of rural areas and 60.35 per cent of people living in urban places, the Governor said.
