New Delhi: The Planning Commission on Thursday approved Delhi`s Rs 15,862 crore annual Plan for 2012-13 which is 11.7 per cent higher than the outlay for the last fiscal.
The Plan outlay was approved here at a meeting between the Commission`s Deputy Chairman Montek Singh Ahluwalia and Chief Minister of Delhi Sheila Dikshit.
"We have agreed to a Plan size of Rs 15,862 crore. They have ambitious 12th Plan (2012-17) target of Plan expenditure at Rs 90,000 crore," Ahluwalia told reporters after the meeting.
Commenting on the state`s performance, Ahluwalia said: "Delhi is doing very well. We are quite impressed by the percentage of expenditure (65 per cent) that is going to social services, which is really very high".
"I am satisfied with Delhi Jal Board`s operational plan wherein they would expand sewerage network in Delhi," he added.
About the Plan outlay for this fiscal, Dikshit said: "I am satisfied and happy to get all support from the Planning Commission for innovative ideas proposed by Delhi Government. Whatever funds we had demanded, they approved that".
"We had allocated 63 per cent for social services last year and in the 12th Plan it would be enhanced to 65 per cent for social sector," she said when asked about the state`s priorities.
About the plans to set up power "islanding" project to insulate the state from the problems like the recent grid failure, she said: "Planning Commission has agreed to implement the islanding of Delhi state".
On its proposal of direct subsidy, she said, "The panel also agreed to the proposal of Delhi Government to provide either cash or food items under the public distribution system."
About the public private partnership in a water project, she said, "They have asked us to go ahead with that."
Under this PPP arrangement, there will be round the clock water supply in some of the areas under a pilot project.
The Chief Minister said that the state has opted for a zero loan budget that would get around 92 per cent of funding from its own sources as in the 12th Plan outlay of Rs 90,000 crore, Rs 83,137 crore would come from state`s own sources.
She said that the new schemes which would be launched this year include Dilli Swarozgar Yojana under which members of SC,ST, OBC and minorities would get a loan of Rs 5 lakh for self-employment. Besides, a scheme to make Delhi a kerosene-free city would also be launched shortly.
State would also launch a mission in the 12th Plan to improve health indices which would include setting up of three new medical colleges and five nursing schools.
Power generation capacity in the state is also proposed to be increased to 4,730 MW during the 12th Plan from the present level of 2,232 MW.
PTI
