Planning Commission finalized Annual Plan for 2013-14 for Goa

The Annual Plan of 4715 crore rupees for Goa for the financial year 2013-14 was finalized on 21 June 2013 by the Planning Commission of India at New Delhi. Deputy Chairman of Planning Commission, Montek Singh Ahluwalia and Chief Minister of Goa, Manohar Parrikar together finalized the plan.

The agreed plan size includes the central assistance to the State Plan of 225 crore rupees. In addition, an amount of over 100 crore rupees is likely to flow from the Centre to Goa through various Centrally Sponsored Schemes. These allocations will take all the resources, Plan assistance from the Central Government to the State of Goa over 400 crore rupees during 2013-14.

Plan Performance of Goa
• On economic fronts, achievements of Goa in all sectors Goa was satisfactory
• In terms of various socio-economic indicators, the state’s performance was better
• The State Government was complemented for improvement in the Child-Sex ratio (0-6 years) and it was pointed out that improving Child-Sex ratio has been put as one of the monitor able indicators in the 12th Five Year Plan

Future recommendation for the state from the Planning Commission
• The State needs to further encourage private participation in the development of both social and physical infrastructure
• The state needs to thrust renewed plans in the sectors of health and education
• Continuous evaluation of major social sector programs should be started to get a realistic assessment and opportunity for timely intervention

Challenges to be tackled during 12th Plan Period

• State needs o bring improvement in agriculture and allied sector, as growth rate of agriculture in the state has declined continuously when compared to the per-capita income in other sectors. The declining interest towards agriculture may be attributed to small land holdings, high cost of wages and non-availability of agriculture labourers there is a need to have a long term strategy for agriculture sector to achieve self-sufficiency in perishable & high value agriculture products
• Efforts needs to be brought in process to cover all the urban areas with sewerage network using latest technology to achieve the goal of total sanitation and clean environment in the State
• Planning Commission offered full support to the State in Solid Waste Management and efforts to make Goa plastic free
• Besides social services focus the state would continue with its focus on tourism and related activities
• The new initiatives for 12th plan period would include encouragement for local production of vegetables and fruits
• Mid-day meal scheme for class IX and X students and underground cabling of major towns will be taken up during the year

Goa has demanded a onetime grant of 3000 crore rupees because of the losses suffered by the state due to ban on mining to compensate those affected by the closure of mining.