AP Plan fixed at Rs 53,000 cr

• Poverty levels are expected to come down 12 per cent in 2016-17
• Montek praises CM for his performance
• Planning body to project AP as a model
• Legislation for Bangaru Thalli soon
• Ahluwalia promises to help the State in tiding over the power crisis

Venkat Parsa New Delhi: The Andhra Pradesh Annual Plan Outlay for 2013-14 has been fixed at Rs 53,000 crore by the Planning Commission. It marks an increase of 8.2 per cent over the Annual Plan Outlay for the previous year, which was fixed at Rs 48,935 crore.

That was the outcome of three hours of talks Chief Minister Kiran Kumar Reddy had with Planning Commission Deputy Chairman Montek Singh Ahluwalia on Thursday afternoon. It was preceded by three hours of engagement in the morning between the Andhra Pradesh officials like State Chief Secretary, Finance Secretary and Planning Secretary with the officials of the Planning Commission. Ahluwalia wanted to know the details of different schemes.

The 12th Plan projected outlay for Andhra Pradesh is the largest in the country at Rs 3, 42,842 crore. The targeted sectoral growth rate for 12th Plan period is also significantly high. It pitches agricultural growth at 6 %, industrial growth at 10.5 % and services sector at 11.5 %. The overall growth rate target during the 12th Plan is 10 %, while the Centre is aiming at 8 % growth. Poverty levels are expected to come down 12 per cent in 2016-17, from 21 per cent during the YSR Government regime in 2009-10.

Montek Singh praised Kiran Kumar Reddy for his social sector performance, innovative ideas and new initiatives like Mana Biyyam, Indiramma Kalalu, Rajiv Yuva Kiranalu and Bangaru Thalli and sought details of these schemes, so that these could be replicated in other States, as well. Montek Singh noted that the health indicators have considerably improved.

The Planning Commission sought to project Andhra Pradesh as a model State as it is impressed by its inclusive growth, welfare schemes, and empowerment of the underprivileged sections of society. The Chief Minister emphasised the legislation for the SC/ST Sub-Plan and vowed legislation for Bangaru Thalli, to make it truly effective. Ahluwalia also recognised the need for greater investments flows for improving the ports and roads connectivity and communications network.

Besides, Ahluwalia was greatly impressed by the statutory status accorded to the SC/ST Sub-Plan and wants it to be replicated in other States, too. He had all praise for Kiran Kumar Reddy's mass contact initiatives like Indiramma Bata, Rythu Sadassu and Rachcha Banda.A Ahluwalia promised to help the State in tiding over the power crisis. The State is due to get 500 MW of power from the NTPC. The State is also hit because of the lack of connectivity between Southern Power Grid with the Northern and North-Eastern Power Grid.

Besides, the gas allocation has been delayed as the EGoM on Gas is yet to receive comments from some of the departments. The Chief Minister also brought to the notice of the Planning Commission some of the issues relating to the Aadhar-enabled Direct Benefit Transfer Scheme, which Ahluwalia promised to resolve.