Focus needed on agri, water, energy management: Montek

Agriculture, macroeconomics, water and energy management would need special focus in the 12th five year plan, Planning Commission Deputy Chairman Montek Singh Ahluwalia said.

Though agriculture contributed only 15% to the total Gross Domestic Product, more than half the population of the country was involved in the sector and hence it needed a special focus, he said speaking at Indian Overseas Bank's Platinum Jubilee Oration here.

On energy front, he said India was dependent on imported petrol and coal since domestic supplies were limited. "So the country needs to focus on renewable energy," he said.

He also said energy prices would have to rise and "we have to get used to it."

Water was now a challenge and reasonable usage of water in industries should be the focus, Ahluwalia said.

On the performance during the 11th five year plan, he said the country will see 8.2% GDP at the end of this year, which was also the end of 11th five year plan.

While all indicators of growth were showing improvement, "it was not as great as it should be," he said pointing out that the country missed the target of nine per cent GDP.

"We are in the process of writing the policies for the 12th five year plan. We are batting on a very good record," he said adding that they hoped to continue with it. .