April 10, 2012
West Bengal Plan for 2012-13 finalized
New Delhi, Apr 10 : The Annual Plan for the year 2012-13 for West Bengal was finalised here on Tuesday at a meeting between Planning Commission Deputy Chairman Montek Singh Ahluwalia and WB Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee.
The plan size has been agreed at Rs. 25910 crore.
The state government was appreciated for the priorities outlined in the draft 12th plan and it was appreciated that science and technology was being taken as a driver for socio-economic development.
On the economic front it was noticed that the Gross State Domestic Product (GSPD) at the constant (2004-05) prices increased from Rs. 208656 crore in 2004-05 to Rs. 340234 crore in 2011-12. In terms of GSDP growth rate the State has shown upward trend except 2008-09 and 2010-11.
Overall, the growth rate which was 6.29% in 2005-06, it increased to 7.06% in 2011-12. The per capital Net State Domestic Product (NSDP) increased from Rs. 22649 in 2004-05 to Rs. 34229 in the year 2011-12.
The growth rate of agriculture and allied sector showed an upward trend ranging between 2% to 6% except 2008-09 where it was negative i.e. -2.21%. The growth rate in industry was uneven. Even the growth in service sector has not shown any dramatic change over the period of time and it stagnated at 9%-10%.
Briefing the Commission on the development strategy of West Bengal, Chief Minister said that despite financial constraints the state has grown at a rate of 11.76 per cent.
She said her government was aiming at inclusive growth with sustainable development so as create adequate employment opportunities and food security to all. Improving agriculture would be a major priority of the State Government and it would aim at achieving four per cent growth through enhanced irrigation and flood control capacity.
She said efforts are on to rebuild industrial sector for which focus is on skill development and infrastructure development.
She said development of social and infrastructure is on the top priority of the government and private sector is being encouraged to join in this effort of the Government through public private partnership route. In the rural development target is to reduce poverty to 25-28 per cent from 43 per cent.
Rate of payment under MGNREGA has been raised to Rs 135 per day.
At least 65 lakh BPL household will be covered under the scheme.
The state government has requested Government of India to include three more districts in the central list of backward districts so that development in these districts can be funded under BRGF.
She said 75 new schools with residential facility are being set up.
On development of Sundarban, she said the proposal includes connecting every island to be connected through fast, safe and affordable boat service. All inhabited centres to be connected with good roads and bridges.
