Folks,
24 Feb. Govt. of India Press Information Bureau. Excerpts: Annual Plan of
Goa for the year 2006-07 was approved ... the size for Goa was agreed at
Rs.1200 crores ... The Commission complimented the State Government for
having a healthy and well-organized power sector ... initiatives include ...
mono-rail project ... Full text below.
Comment:
Goa having a healthy power sector!
Mono-Rail Project: Once again the emphasis is on prestige projects rather
than improving the roads and basic infrastructure.
Full text from http://pib.nic.in/release/release.asp?relid=15880
Goa Annual Plan Finalized
24 Feb. 2006
Annual Plan of Goa for the year 2006-07 was approved in a meeting, here
today, between the Deputy Chairman, Planning Commission, Shri Montek Singh
Ahluwalia and the Chief Minister of Goa, Shri Pratapsingh Raoji Rane, here
today. The Annual Plan size for Goa was agreed at Rs.1200 crores, which
includes additional Central assistance of Rs.12.65 crore for viability gap
funding of BOT based infrastructure projects.
Deputy Chairman, Planning Commission, complimented the State for efficient
fiscal management, development strategy and initiatives aimed at encouraging
private participation in all sectors of economy. He said expenditure
realization was good and State was taking initiatives for optimum
utilization of inherit strengths.
He said fresh efforts for improving social and physical infrastructure with
focused attention to improving rural economy were steps in the right
direction. The Commission complimented the State Government for having a
healthy and well-organized power sector. It was suggested that thrust should
be on improving tax revenue in their effort to improve resource
mobilization. Strategy aimed at creating employment opportunities was also
appreciated.
The Chief Minister said that favourable socio-economic indicators were being
leveraged to reap full advantage of IT revolution. E-governance was being
given priority for providing services at doorsteps. For this purpose a
digital backbone was being established throughout the State.
He said a committee had been set up to suggest action points based on
emerging knowledge economy to generate employment opportunities for educated
youth of the State. Special economic zones for IT, bio-tech and
pharmaceutical sector are being planned. Other initiatives include setting
up of modern convention center, cruise terminal mono-rail project,
up-gradation of minor ports and improvement in river navigation.
Eddie Fernandes
