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Ninth 5-Year Plan revised draft by August, says Ram Naik

Addressing mediapersons after the Bharatiya Janata Party-led coalition government under Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee completed 100 days in office, Naik stated that the reviewed draft plan which is being prepared under the chairmanship of Rajasthan Chief Minister Bhairon Singh Shekhawat will be submitted to the prime minister soon. After the approval of Vajpayee, who is also the Planning Commission chairman, the document will be adopted by the cabinet and would then adopted by the National Development Council.

Naik informed that the earlier draft, approved by former deputy chairman of Planning Commission, Prof Madhu Dandavate, was released on March 1 last. It, however, could not be adopted by the then prime minister Inder Kumar Gujral and his cabinet because of the Lok Sabha elections.

When the BJP-led government came to power at the Centre, Vajpayee directed the deputy chairman of Planning Commission Jaswant Singh to review the earlier proposals so that it fits the national agenda for governance of the 18-party government.

Shekhawat, who led the special task force on devolution of financial powers to states, after examining and reviewing the Ninth Plan has submitted the report to the Reserve Bank of India, which is currently being studied.

Naik pointed out that a number of initiatives have been taken to ensure that the benefits of the economic development equally reach to north-eastern states and Sikkim. The special task force convener Krishna Chandra Pant is working actively to finalise the recommendations.

It has already decided to create non-transferable pool to improve funding pattern of developmental activities in the north-eastern states and Sikkim.

He further stated that as state minister, in charge of programme implementation, a new thrust is being given to ensure that the benefits of the central schemes, meant for population below poverty line, fully reach them in a time-bound programme. As a result, the Member of Parliament Local Area Development Scheme (MPLADS) has been reviewed and the provision of Rs 10 million has been increased to Rs 20 million.

The decision to increase the MPLADS was taken at a meeting of leaders of all parties in Lok Sabha, presided by Speaker G M C Balyogi, held during the last session of Parliament. Another meeting of leaders of political parties in Rajya Sabha, to be presided over by Vice-President and Rajya Sabha chairman Krishna Kant will be held in the ensuing session of the Parliament.

Naik said that the BJP-led government is committed to boost the infrastructure and rural sector and the budget presented by Union Finance Minister Yashwant Sinha reflects its commitment. It has increased allocations in many sectors, he added.