Sanjeev Pargal
JAMMU, Apr 26: The Government has deputed a six member high level delegation of Planning and Finance Departments for “resource meeting’’ with the Planning Commission of India on May 8, which would be followed by the final annual plan meeting of the State on May 20.
The May 8 meeting between top brass of State administration and the Planning Commission Members and Advisors would almost clear the decks for plan finalisation between Planning Commission Deputy Chairman Montek Singh Ahluwalia and Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on May 20.
Excelsior had, a day before, exclusively reported that the State’s annual plan and Prime Minister’s Re-construction Plan (PMRP) would be finalised on May 20, more than one and a month ahead of the previous year when it was finalised on July 13.
The six member high level delegation that has been assigned the task by the Government for holding “resource meeting’’ with the Planning Commission on May 8 included B R Sharma, Principal Secretary, Planning and Development Department, B B Vyas, Principal Secretary, Finance Department, Arun Kumar Mehta, Principal Secretary, Power Development Department (PDD), Rashim Kashyap, Director, Resources and Institutional Finances and Special Secretary, Finance Department, Shehzada Bilal, Joint Director, Planning and Development Department and Showkat Hussain Mir, Deputy Director, Resources, Finance Department.
Sources said the State delegation would explain in detail the resources of the State Government, both tax and non tax, measures being taken by the Government to increase its tax base and curtail revenue expenditure, austerity measures and ever increasing losses on power purchase.
They added that the cut in last year’s funds of the State by the Planning Commission would also be taken up by the State delegation during May 8 meeting with Members and Advisors of the Commission. The State Government has made it clear that it would be seeking re-validation of the funds and pursue the matter vigorously with the Planning Commission and, if the need arises, with the Union Finance Ministry.
According to sources, the State delegation’s meeting with the Planning Commission on May 8 would take place in two phases during the day. The meeting would virtually clear the decks for plan finalisation meeting between Chief Minister Omar Abdullah and Planning Commission’s Deputy Chairman Montek Singh Ahluwalia on May 20.
“Most of the issues would be cleared in May 8 meeting. The clarifications sought by the Planning Commission on resources for financing annual plan of the State for 2013-14 would be given in the meeting by the top brass of Planning and Finance Department,’’ sources said.
The officers of Planning and Finance Departments have already explained most of the requirements of the Planning Commission through January 24 video conferencing meeting between the two sides.
On May 20, the Chief Minister accompanied by Finance Minister Abdul Rahim Rather, Planning Minister Ajay Sadhotra, Minister of State for Finance and Planning Dr Manohar Lal Sharma and Economic Advisor to J&K Government, Jalil Khan would have a comprehensive meeting with Mr Ahluwalia in which the State’s annual plan for current financial year would be clinched.
As already reported, the State has sought Rs 8050 crore worth annual plan for 2013-14 and Rs 600 crore under PMRP.
The plan amounted to about 10 per cent increase over last financial year’s amount of Rs 7300 crore.
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