SALIENT FEATURES OF THE NINTH PLAN (1997-2002)   

THRUST AREAS AND PRIORITIES

The Planning Commission's Approach to the Ninth Plan aims to address the problems faced in the Eighth Plan in the areas of capital formation in agriculture, living standards of the poor, infrastructure, social sector, regional disparity and fiscal deficits. The following objectives have been set out for the Ninth Plan :-  

1. Priority to agriculture and rural development to generate adequate productive employment and eradication of poverty;
2. Accelerating the growth rate of the economy with stable prices;
3. Ensuring food and nutritional security for all, particularly the vulnerable sections of society;
4. Providing basic minimum services to all in a time-bound manner;
5. Containing the growth rate of the population;
6. Ensuring environmental sustainability of the developmental process through social mobilisation and participation of the people at all levels;
7. Empowerment of women and socially-disadvantaged groups (SC/ ST / OBC / Minorities) as agents of socio-economic change and development;
8. Promoting and developing people's participatory institutions like Panchayat Raj institutions, co-operatives and self-help groups;
9. Strengthening efforts to build self-reliance.

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STATE'S APPROACH TO THE NINTH PLAN
 

• Our State lags behind others in most human development indicators. All thepopulation does not have access to the basic necessities of life - drinking water and health facilities, in particular. Infant mortality is still high and literacy levels, particularly among women and disadvantaged sections, are low. There are significant regional differences in development. Growing unemployment has been a major problem in recent years, both in rural and urban areas.

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STRATEGY
 

Agriculture & Allied Activities
 

• The agricultural growth rate will be raised to absorb additional labour force and reduce poverty levels. Greater attention and resources will be devoted to watershed development for better in situ moisture conservation. Priority will be given to speedy completion of ongoing major and medium irrigation schemes and better utilisation of potential created through farmers' participation. To increase farm incomes, efforts will be made to diversify small / marginal farmers into other allied activities, like animal husbandry, horticulture, sericulture, fisheries, etc.

Infrastructure

• Together with public investment, private initiative would be encouraged to participate in creating infrastructure like power, communication services, roads, bridges, housing, industrial estates, etc. Effort will be made to re-structure and improve the financial viability of the State Electricity Board. Maintenance of arterial roads / highways will be provided added resources and attention.

Employment

• A pattern of sectoral growth yielding higher employment elasticity will be followed to raise employment in agri-business, animal husbandry, fisheries, horticulture and aquaculture, and create additional opportunities for employment through re-generation of natural resources such as wasteland and forests, increased investment in construction of roads and housing.

Industry

• Special attention will be paid to the unregistered sector and promotion of service industry, with suitable programmes for training and upgradation of skills. Programmes for development of Khadi and village industries, handlooms, sericulture and handicrafts will be integrated with rural development / poverty alleviation programmes.

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SOCIAL SERVICES

Water supply and sanitation

• Highest priority would be given to coverage of no-source habitations and provide them with sustainable supply of drinking water. Special measures would be taken to tackle quality problems. Measures for conservation of water and recharge of aquifers would also be implemented to provide sustained supply of water. The private sector's participation would be mobilised for drinking water projects.

• Greater attention would be paid to sanitation, both in urban and rural areas. Along with scientific planning of solid and liquid waste disposal systems for bigger urban agglomerations, greater awareness and education of sanitation practices would be brought about in the rural areas.

Education

• Efforts would be made to achieve universal primary education through formal / non-formal schools. Vocational education / training would to be expanded both through institutional and non-formal courses. An integrated approach would be followed for higher education, to provide greater autonomy, equitable and cost-effective expansion including private participation, strengthening of facilities and promotion of excellence. The quality of technical education would be improved through consolidation and upgradation of infrastructure and strengthening industry-institution relationships.

Health

• Relentless growth of population has eroded the gains of prosperity. Efforts to spread family limitation practices will be intensified together with a system of disincentives. The major share of public investment would be directed to health care services, placing greater emphasis and reliance on community-based systems. Along with adequate diffusion of medical education facilities , training of medical professionals, willing to work in rural areas, through innovative medical schooling systems would be given attention.

Housing

• Construction of housing for the poorest sections will remain an important component of wage-employment generation programmes in the rural areas. The approach to housing development in urban areas would emphasise removal of legal constraints to supply of land as well as rental housing activity. Subsidised plots and use of low cost materials and building technologies would be promoted to provide affordable housing to poorer segments of the population.

Poverty alleviation and Social justice  

• Adequate food security and developmental programmes, which generate adequate employment, will be the main components of the strategy to take care of the poor. Development of the scheduled tribes, scheduled castes and backward classes will be intensified, so that these disadvantaged sections of the population are brought on par with rest of society. Protection / restoration of rights of tribals to natural usufruct and preservation of socio-cultural values would also be ensured through decentralised, participatory planning. Specific measures would be taken to ensure that women are enabled to function as equal partners and participants in development and vulnerable groups, including children, destitute and the disabled are not excluded from the fruits of development.

People's involvement

• People's initiative and participation will be a key element in the process of development. The Govt. will facilitate the process of peoples' involvement, by creating the institutional infrastructure to get them involved in social tasks and social mobilisation and affording access to information and opportunity of consultation. Better targeting of social uplift programmes will be achieved through decentralised planning and implementation. Steps will be initiated for strengthening local institutions, re-orientation and integration of local development activities under the charge of local bodies, and normative devolution of funds.
  
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RESOURCES FOR PLAN FINANCING
 

• 15. The macro-economic framework of the Ninth Plan assumes that the bulk of the improvement in public savings will have to come from the Govt. Greater revenue raising is anticipated through tax / local effort by Panchayati Raj institutions, particularly in view of the focus on Basic Minimum services. The Planning Commission have suggested two alternative projections for the Ninth Plan size of the State, viz.
  
  1. 6.25 times the size of the Annual Plan, 1997-98 (Rs. 21355.14 crores
  2. assuming an increase of 30% over the VIII Plan (Rs. 18995.81 crores)

• Discussions were held with the Planning Commission to determine the availability of resources for the Ninth Plan. Resources for the Ninth Plan have been worked out in constant terms at 1996-97 prices, assuming 7% inflation. The exercise indicated that the available resources may be Rs.20074.19 crores, compared to the gross availability of Rs.12207.36 crores in the Eighth Plan.

• After making due provision for anticipated wage increase consequent to the report of the Fifth Pay Commission and commitment of plan expenditure to the non-plan (Rs. 3173.52 cr), the State's own contribution to the Ninth Plan will be Rs.11682.07 crores (58.19%) - inclusive of market borrowing , loans from LIC / GIC / NABARD , local bodies' resources (Rs.2712.94 crores), PSU resources / borrowings of the order of Rs. 3540.50 crores, additional resource mobilisation by the State Govt. and anticipated tariff revision to make up the resource gap of MPEB and MPSRTC . The Central support will be Rs. 8392.12 crores - which also comprises EAP assistance (Rs. 1950.54 crores), SCA for TSP, assistance for the Accelerated irrigation benefit programme (AIBP) and slum improvement, apart from Central assistance according to the Gadgil-Mukherji formula.

• The increased share of EAP assistance / local borrowings in the budgetary resources which can be mobilised for the Plan implies that the budgetary support to many development sectors will diminish during the Ninth Plan, because a substantial part of the limited budgetary support will be pre-empted in favour of select projects / activities. A large part of the residual funds will be further pre-empted for Centrally-sponsored schemes. Decentralisation of schemes and transfer of State funds to local bodies for district sector schemes will further compound the problem for state-level schemes.

• The absence of budgetary surplus in the Ninth Plan period to fund the revenue component of the Plan is a disturbing prospect. In order to stabilise public finances over the Plan period as well as maintain resource availability for State sector schemes, the State Govt. aim to neutralize the negative BCR during the Ninth Plan period. Substantial tax resources have been assigned to local bodies so that they may play a substantive role in planned development.

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SECTORAL DISTRIBUTION OF OUTLAYS
 

• At present, the residual budgetary support (exclusive of EAP / conditional loans) during the Ninth Plan is not sufficient to assure continually increasing financial support to different sectors, in real terms, at the level proposed in the succeeding years of the Plan. Therefore, sectoral outlays for the Ninth Plan are tentatively proposed maintaining residual budgetary support (at constant prices) at the level of the Annual Plan (1997-98) and conditional budgetary support / extra-budgetary resources as projected during the five-year period. The size of the Ninth Plan will be around Rs. 20,094.22 crores. The Major Sector-wise distribution of outlays in the Ninth Plan will be as follows :

• A substantial shift in Plan priorities has taken place in recent years because of the greater emphasis on basic minimum services at the national level and the human development agenda adopted by the State Govt. Effort has to be made to maintain budgetary support for Agriculture and allied activities, irrigation and rural development, in view of their importance to the State economy . Social services will now appropriate 42.37 % of Plan investment as compared to 18.73 % in the Eighth Plan. However, public investment in the energy sector will decline (from 32.25% of the VIII Plan to 16.22%), because significant private sector investment is expected. Non-SLR bonds are proposed for completion of ongoing / financing of new public / joint sector projects in the energy sector.

• For Externally aided projects (EAPs), the total requirements have been estimated to be of the order of Rs. 2051 crores for which Rs. 1500.54 crores will flow as Additional Central Assistance from Government of India during the plan period.
  
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SIGNIFICANT PLAN TARGETS

Agriculture:

• Agriculture is the mainstay of the State's economy since more than three-fourths of the State's population is dependent on agricultural activity for their source of livelihood. Oilseeds enhance farmers' incomes and also help meet consumers demand for edible oils. It has been envisaged that food grain, pulses and oilseed production would be of the order of 226.50 lakh tonnes, 43.50 lakh tonnes and 66.15 lakh tonnes, respectively by the end of the Ninth Plan. 55,000 wells would be constructed to create additional irrigation potential for augmenting agricultural production. It is also envisaged to cover 10,78,000 hect. of land under the National Watershed Development Programme.
  
  • Horticulture offers multiple farming opportunities and generates a great deal of employment, together with possibilities for amelioration of the deteriorating environment. 33,734 hectares would be covered under fruit development 12,639 hectares under vegetable development. Propagation of medicinal and aromatic plans would be taken up in 20,000 hectares.
  • Livestock is an essential part of the rural economy, as it is the main source of draught power for agricultural operations. Animal husbandry, dairying and poultry has a major role in improving living standards, especially for the rural poor. It is expected to attain milk production of 5.7 million tons, 9 lakh kg of wool production and 1500 million eggs by the end of the Ninth Plan. Inland fisheries has tremendous potential in the State because of the large waterspread available for fish culture. Fish production is targetted to reach 1.54 lakh tons and fish-seed production would go up to 10,00 million standard fry during the Plan.

  Irrigation:
   

  • It is estimated that the annual run-off of 105 MAF and the ground water re-charge of 26 MAF, if it can be harnessed for irrigation, has the potential to irrigate 102 lakh hectares, which is more than 50% of the net sown area in the State. However, due to paucity of resources, a large number of the major / minor irrigation projects in the State are still awaiting completion. Taking full advantage of AIBP / RIDF, it is proposed to create additional irrigation potential of 4.45 lakh hectares, under major, medium and minor schemes during the Ninth Plan.

  Rural development
   

  • Alleviation of poverty and unemployment are cardinal objectives of the State Plan. With the rejuvenation of Panchayati Raj institutions in the State, these bodies have been entrusted with the implementation of rural development and poverty alleviation schemes in the State. Subsidy will be extended to 3.22 lakh beneficiaries under the IRD programme and 1.72 lakh persons will be trained under TRYSEM. 1783 lakh man days of employment will be provided under JRY and 1650 lakh man days under EAS. 1.32 lakh irrigation wells and 4.66 lakh houses will be constructed under IAY. 1151 milli watersheds will be covered under the watershed development programme.

    Energy  

  • Rapid economic development is dependent on adequate availability of power, both to the agriculture sector as well as to industry. In the Ninth Plan, 557.55 MW of power generation capacity will be added through public investment. 1750 villages 2500 hamlets, 2500 SC bastis will be electrified and 60,000 pumpsets will be energised.

  School Education  

  • Since the State lags behind most of the States in the country in regard to literacy and education, highest priority has been given to universalisation of primary education. An Education guarantee scheme has been launched in the State. It is proposed to open 4752 new primary schools 12000 NFE centres and 2873 new middle schools and create 38,000 additional posts of teachers during the Ninth Plan to cater to the anticipated increase of students at the primary and middle stage.74 Lakh illiterates in the age group 15-35 would also be targetted under the literacy programme.

  Water supply  

  • Availability of potable water both in the urban and rural areas is one of the primary necessities of human existence. In the Ninth Plan, potable supply will be made available to 450 man habitations, 5000 poorly served habitations, 19100 partially covered habitations, together with piped water supply in 831 villages and 80 towns. Safe water arrangements will be provided in 3800 fluoride affected /polluted villages.

  Urban welfare  

  • Increasing urbanisation has been acompanied by rising incidence of poverty in the urban areas also. Urban slum development and poverty alleviation programmes will cover 11 lakh beneficiaries. Assistance will be extended to 8,600 beneficiaries under PMIUPEP and 28,000 under NRY. Group insurance schemes will cover 9.6 lakh beneficiaries by the end of the Ninth Plan.

  Nutrition  

  • Raising the levels of nutrition, especially in the rural areas, is one of the prime objectives of the Ninth Plan. ICDS services will cover 183.80 lakh children in age group 0.6 years and 55.4 lakh pregnant and nursing mothers during the Ninth Plan.

  Welfare of weaker sections  

  •  Social justice demands that special efforts be made for the development of the weaker sections, so that they are also brought on par with the rest of society. Post matric scholarship will be extended to 30,000 and State scholarships to 38 lakh SC students. 4.36 lakh OBC students will receive pre-matric scholarships and post-matric scholarships will be given to 50,000 others. State scholarships will be awarded to 93.20 lakh ST students and merit scholarship to 9 lakhs.
    

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DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY FOR WEAKER SECTIONS
 

• Starting with the Annual Plan 1997-98, funds earmarked for TSP and SCP (in proportion to their population) have been placed at the disposal of the Department of Scheduled Castes / Scheduled Tribes, to identify schemes / programmes most suited to the welfare of these groups and to allocate outlays to different departments entrusted with the responsibility of vigorously implementing the schemes / programmes benefiting these target groups.

• In Ninth Plan and Annual Plan, under each Sector and Sub-sector, women's component will be identified and required provision will be made by the concerned development departments to effectively implement schemes / programmes which will help promoting welfare of women in general and disadvantaged groups among women in particular.

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BASIC MINIMUM SERVICES (BMS)
 

The estimated requirements of funds to make up the gap in basic minimum services (at the beginning of the Plan period) were as follows:

Rural Water Supply

• The requirement for Rural water supply has been worked out at Rs. 1,003.43 crores (State's share Rs. 494.16 cr.) to provide water supply in remaining no source villages, 14063 no source habitations, augmentation of water supply in 23,941 villages / habitations and providing alternative water supply arrangements for 13,800 tube-wells permanently out of order. In addition, it is essential to provide alternative water supply for villages affected by quality problems. For urban water supply in smaller towns up to 1 lakh population, the total requirements have been estimated to be of the order of Rs. 421.72 crore (State share Rs. 210.86 cr.)

Primary Health Care

• The State is adversely placed in respect to health infrastructure, when compared to all India averages. Additional capital investment of Rs. 923.26 cr(buildings), Rs. 48.47 crs. for equipment and annual recurring cost of Rs. 97.14 cr. are required to achieve the institutional norms laid down by the GOI.
   

Primary Education

• Under the programme universalisation of primary education, by 2000 AD, 117.36 lakh children in age group 6-11 will have to be enrolled in schools , for which the additional requirement of funds for new schools/ NFE centres, additional class rooms, additional teachers, training, text books and administrative expenses would be Rs 780.79 crores.

Shelter for Poor

• There are 5.65 lakh shelter-less rural families in the State in 1995-96. The State plan will include the matching provision to provide housing to shelter-less poor and upgradation of shelters under the IAY, NRY and UPEP schemes.

Approach Roads

• The estimated requirement for connecting villages with population over 1500 is Rs. 674 crores.

Nutrition

• The ICDS programme is presently operational in 258 blocks and 19 urban centres. ICDS projects have already been sanctioned by GOI to cover all Rural blocks (459).These will become operational in a phased manner .Urban projects have to be sanctioned for 29 towns with population over 50,000 and sizable SC/ST population. For implementing the scheme ,the annual requirement of funds has been estimated at the order of Rs. 117.07 crores. Cooked mid-day meals are now being given to school children in 297 blocks of the State. Food grains are being given in another 156 blocks.

Public Distribution System (PDS)

• Adequate plan provisions are required to be made through Annual Plans to provide assistance for setting up fair-price shops, constructions of smaller Godowns, mobile shops in tribal areas.

37. The guidelines issued by the Planning Commission require a minimum step-up (over the outlays for 1995-96) of 115% of the assistance provided by the Govt. of India. The outlays which may be available for basic minimum services during the Ninth Plan are as under:

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DECENTRALIZATION OF PLANNING PROCESS
 

• Together with the re-vitalization of Panchayati Raj Institutions and Urban Local Bodies, District Planning Committees have also been constituted as per constitutional provisions in every district. The State Government are making further efforts to decentralize the planning process at grass root levels. Suitable mechanism has been developed for the district planning exercise. The State Development Council has recommended transfer of 33% of the State Plan outlay for district sector schemes relating to the items listed in Schedules 11 and 12 of the Constitution. The recommendations of the State Development Council may be implemented during the course of the year. District plans so formulated will be integrated with the State Plans in future.
  
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