Shillong, Apr 4 : The Planning Commission has appreciated the Meghalaya government’s initiative to augment people’s livelihood through programmes like the Meghalaya Integrated Basin Development and Livelihood Programme.
According to an official release, chief minister Mukul Sangma called on the commission deputy chairman Montek Singh Ahluwalia during his visit to New Delhi. The meeting with Ahluwalia was a prelude to the finalisation of the state’s annual plan for 2011-12.
While presenting the budget proposals for 2011-12 in the recent Assembly session, Sangma announced that the government had set aside Rs 20 crore for the programme.
“Another important programme is promotion of value chains for sustainable livelihood. A provision of Rs 5 crore has been earmarked for the purpose,” Sangma said.
The government intended to economically empower the rural poor with the development and livelihood programme.
Under this programme, there would be a convergence of schemes such as agriculture, fisheries, horticulture, tourism and others, where the rural poor living near the river basins will be assisted.
Moreover, through the programme, the government would try to mitigate the adverse effects of climate change.
To initiate the programme, a basin development council, under the chairmanship of the chief minister and a basin development authority, under the chief secretary, were also established.
While appreciating the livelihood programme and the government’s focus on youth and rural economy, Ahluwalia offered the support of the planning commission to ensure continuity and sustainability of these new initiatives.
Sources said Ahluwalia expressed happiness about the huge improvement in utilisation of plan funds by Meghalaya in 2010-11.
During 2010-11, a plan size of Rs 2,230 crore was sanctioned by the commission for Meghalaya, which included an amount of Rs 400 crore for special plan assistance, Rs 100 crore for special central assistance, Rs 90.55 crore for the externally aided project component and Rs 60 crore for the National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development loan.
The state government has proposed a plan size of Rs 2,727 crore for 2011-12. The actual size of the annual plan will be finalised in the meeting between the state government and the Planning Commission in the third week of this month.