The Annual Plan for Sikkim for the year 2011-12 was finalized here today at a meeting between Deputy Chairman, Planning Commission Shri Montek Singh Ahluwalia and Chief Minister of Sikkim, Shri Pawan Chamling. The Plan outlay was agreed at Rs.1400 crores.

In his comments on the performance of the State, Deputy Chairman Planning Commission said performance is quite satisfactory. Appreciable efforts are being made to improve horticulture and ginger production. Efforts are on to bridge infrastructure gaps and in couple of years the State was likely to have a airport and railway line. Work on both projects was progressing well.

He said continued focus on physical and social infrastructure development together with urbanization would catalyze tourism and other income generating activities. He said the State Governments should inform the Commission about their experience on the Central schemes aimed at making plan process more inclusive. This he said would help the Commission in taking corrective measure while drafting the next plan. He appreciated the initiatives taken to make Sikkim first organic and green State in the country. Priorities in the sector need to work out accordingly.

Mr. Ahluwalia said the State should embark upon a path of sustainable economic development by concentrating upon its abundant Natural Resources. The main thrust areas should include Tourism, Horticulture/Floriculture, Human Resource development and Hydal generation, which would not only generate revenue but also create employment opportunities. Public-private partnership, which has already been introduced in the Tourism, Hydal generation and floriculture, should be vigorously pursued further.

He said approach in the Social-sector should be on improving education and reducing the dropout rate for improving the literacy rate. The existing educational infrastructure and higher education should also be paid attention. In the health sector, emphasis should be upon the achievement of the health indicators as envisaged in the Plan document. Thrust will also be given to provision of clean drinking water and proper sanitation facilities in both rural and urban areas.

The Chief Minister of Sikkim, Mr. Chamling said the thrust of Plan is upon the inclusion of the Common Minimum Programme of the UPA and inclusion of various Flagship Programmes, with particular emphasis on Human Development. The State Government has adopted a policy decision to embark on a path of sustainable economic development and self reliance, and thrust of the Government are in promotion and development of ecologically and environmentally friendly Tourism, Horticulture and Floriculture, with specific stress on production of low volume high value Organic agricultural and horticultural produce, Hydro Power generation without environmental erosion, Human Resource Development, Health and Rural Development.