Sikkim highest per capita income, lowest GDP in NE


GANGTOK, August 12: Sikkimese people have the highest per capita income in the Northeast region as per the findings of the Central Statistical Organization data of April, 2010.
According to a report tabled in the Lok Sabha yesterday by Ministry of Planning, the per capita income for Sikkim was shown as Rs. 25,257 for the year 2008-09 based on the CSO data.
This was slightly lower than the national per capita income average of Rs. 25,494 for the same period.
The Ministry of Planning was responding to a question fielded by MP Takam Sujoy in the Lok Sabha.
Among the other NE States, Meghalaya has the second highest per capita income of Rs. 23,069 for 2008-09.
In response to Sujoy’s question on Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of the eight NE States, Sikkim’s GDP for the year 2008-09 was shown as Rs. 1756 crores with an eight percent increase as compared to the previous financial year. Sikkim’s GDP was the lowest among the NE States.
The Ministry of Planning has replied that the growth process for the NE region had been slow for a host of logistic and geographical reasons. It was pointed out that the NE States have been given special category for liberal plan funding to ensure faster growth.
As per a special initiative for the development of NE region, it is mandatory to earmark at least 10 percent of the Gross Budgetary Support of the Central Ministries and departments for development programmes in the region, the Ministry said.
Further, for speedy development of infrastructure, the NE States are accessing funds from the Non-lapsable Central Pool of Resources, created out of the unspent balance of 10 percent budgetary allocations to the Ministries and departments, it is replied.

source;sikkim express