Shimla, Feb 13 (PTI) Himachal Pradesh has proposed Rs 3,700 crore Annual Plan for 2012-13, which is 12.12 per cent more than the Plan of Rs 3,300 crore fixed for the current year, Chief Minister P K Dhumal today said. While initiating the discussions with the MLAs for fixing the Plan priorities here, the Chief Minister said 9.5 per cent growth rate has been pegged for the state for the 12th Five Year Plan period (2012-17). It would be a challenging task but not difficult with effective implementation of developmental schemes by the officers and officials of the state government, he added. He asked the MLAs to come out with constructive suggestions for additional resource mobilisation and prioritise such projects first which were nearing completion so that the people could avail the benefits. Reiterating his government's resolve to ensure speedy development of backward areas, he said that besides funds under Backward Area Sub Plan, additional funds were being provided under General Plan and Scheduled Castes/Scheduled Tribes Sub Plan for development of these areas. Expressing his concern over the unemployment at national as well a international level, Dhumal said that the state government was taking effective steps to solve to create more jobs in government and private sectors besides launching schemes to give boost to self employment ventures. Efforts were being made to make Himachal an educational hub of the country so that youth of the state could get higher, professional and technical education nearer to their homes and employment within and outside the state. He said that more than 25,000 people had been provided employment in the government sector alone during last four years. Industrial Training Institutes (ITIs) were being opened in each assembly segment of the state so that youth get employment in private sector in the state. The MLAs from Shimla, Sirmaur, Mandi, Chamba and Kinnaur districts participated in the discussions, while the meeting of MLAs of other districts would be held tomorrow. PTI PCL RAH NS
