From CK Nayak
New Delhi: Meghalaya Chief Minister Dr Mukul Sangma on Thursday took a dig at the Planning Commission for lowering the growth target to 8 per cent in the 12th Plan saying that Meghalaya has already achieved a higher growth rate than targeted in the previous Plan period.
Speaking at the National Development Council (NDC) meeting here, Dr Sangma also pointed out that the draft Plan document acknowledged that during the 11th Plan, Meghalaya grew at 8.1 percent as against the target of 7.3 percent. “With a fast track record the State can target a goal of 11 per cent growth rate in the Twelfth Plan period which I am sure can be achieved through sustainable livelihood programmes and investments in infrastructure and human resource development,” Dr Sangma said.
“It is, therefore, surprising that the same document sets a lower target of 8 per cent for Meghalaya, though one of the core indicators enjoins the State to have a higher average growth rate in the Twelfth Plan than that achieved in the Eleventh Plan,” he said.
Dr Sangma emphasised on the need for more investments in the State from the Centre and the private sector to achieve higher growth rate.
“Meghalaya is on a high growth path. We have been trying out several new initiatives during the recent years so as to bring about growth which is sustainable and inclusive. We have been taking steps to overcome our constraints such as high population growth, need for skill enhancement, leveraging our natural resources, market linkages and others. Further, there is also an urgent need for harnessing our strengths”, he added.
In his concluding remark, Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh said a higher growth rate is a welcome determination. “Some states will indeed do better than the average and I commend their efforts,” he said.
Supporting Meghalaya and other NE states, Dr Singh said that the Eleventh Plan paid special attention to the North East.
“I am happy to say that Northeastern states have responded well. GDP growth in a number of states was higher than the national average.,” he said adding ” We plan to step up the pace of investments in infrastructure, particularly roads, rail, airports, waterways and power transmission systems to support and stimulate economic activity in this vital region of our country.”
Later addressing news persons, Dr Montek Singh Ahluwalia, Deputy Chairman, Planning Commission, said that the Northeastern states can do better with the Look East Policy.
With opening of the border with neighbouring countries like Bangladesh and Myanmar the economic development will be better, he hoped.