Sikkim Plan for 2013-14 Finalized

The Annual Plan for the year 2013-14 for the state of Sikkim was finalised here today at a meeting between Deputy Chairman, Planning Commission, Mr. Montek Singh Ahluwalia and Chief Minister of Sikkim, Sh. Pawan Chamling. The plan size has been agreed at Rs.2060 crore. Deputy Chairman drew attention of the State Government to the initiative being taken by the Planning Commission to make guidelines for central programmes more flexible to improve efficiency. He said a note is being sent to the central Government shortly for this purpose. He said State Governments should come forward with any changes they feel are necessary for implementation of these schemes. In his comments on the performance of the State, Deputy Chairman Planning Commission, Mr Ahluwalia complimented the State for performance and pointed out that achievement in all sectors is satisfactory. He said growth achieved during 11th plan was better than expected and social indicators do pointed out that inclusiveness was also achieved. Achievements in female education and health sector are appreciable. The per capita NSDP of Sikkim has increased by 159.28% from 2004-05 to 2011-12 which is higher than the increase in national per capita NNI of 62.13% for the same period. Poverty ratio in Sikkim has declined by about 10 percentage points. The number of persons below poverty line in Sikkim has fallen to a great extent. The State needs to match up with the National Average to perk up its ranking. Monthly per capita income of people of Sikkim, both urban and rural, has been well above the National average. The Chief Minister said that during 11th Five Year Plan in terms of financial allocations Social Services Sector’ was accorded the highest priority, followed by rural development and Education. High priority given to the social sector reflects State’s government’s efforts to provide basic amenities to the people. This can serve well to accelerate the overall development of the Region. The first priority has been given to ‘Rural Development Sector’ by proposing an outlay of 35.84%. It includes schemes for land reforms, rural infrastructure and employment schemes. State has managed to leverage its natural advantages and central resources to bring the growth rate of its economy and per capita income at successful level. State is striving towards higher achievements within the framework of 12th Five Year Plan of the Government of India. The industrial base comprises of fruit processing, brewing & distilling and pharma companies. Tourism accounts for almost 8 per cent of the GSDP. State is dependent on central transfers & has relatively high level of capital expenditure which has sometimes resulted in very large fiscal deficits.