Security concern in Jammu and Kashmir on Wednesday forced postponement of the discussions between the Chief Minister and the Planning Commission, scheduled for Thursday, to finalise the annual plan.
State authorities on Wednesday sought deferment of the plan discussions on the ground that Chief Minister Farooq Abdullah would not be available due to his preoccupation with the security concerns of the state, where over 100 people including Amarnath pilgrims, were gunned down by militants last week. When contacted a state government official said, "We have sought postponement from the Commission for two-three days."
Abdullah had earlier decried the delay in finalisation of the plan and had said that it would leave very little time for the state administration to execute plan schemes as it would be impossible to take up any development activity in many areas including Ladakh after winter sets in.
The state was sanctioned a plan outlay of Rs 1750 crore for the last fiscal most of which was diverted to non-plan activities, Commission sources said, adding this was bound to reflect in the discussions for the current year. J and K had earlier sent in a proposal for a plan outlay of Rs 2525 crore for 2000-01, sources said.
It may be recalled that the Commission started the concept of core plan for the states from the current fiscal wherein the plan size would depend on past performance of the plan schemes and identifiable resources of states.
Report : Zeenews Bureau
