New Delhi, July 08: The annual plan outlay for Bihar for 2003-04 was approved on Monday at Rs 3,320 crore at a meeting between Planning Commission deputy chairman K C Pant and Bihar chief minister Rabri Devi. The plan outlay includes additional central assistance of Rs 50 crore for priority schemes of the state. In his opening remarks Pant said the special package for development of infrastructure in Bihar approved by the Union Cabinet would give necessary impetus in the sectors of power, irrigation, roads and animal husbandry.
He said the state government should supplement the Centre’s efforts by improving law and order situation, resource generation and optimum utilisation of funds provided for development schemes.
The state government has improved upon the utilisation of plan funds from 56% in 2001-02 to 75% of the funds last year.
Drawing attention of the state to its commitment to close down 22 state-level public enterprises, Mr Pant said action should be initiated without further delay on closure of loss-making public sector and disinvestment of other units. Fiscal reforms aimed at improving tax and non-tax revenue, electricity reforms, simplifying laws and reducing non-plan expenditure were also recommended. Bureau Report