New Delhi, December 29: The Annual Plan outlay for Manipur for the next financial year, 2005-06, has been finalised at Rs 915 crores, an increase of about 16.15 percent over the current year's Plan outlay of Rs 787.72 crores which includes Rs 240 crores as one time Additional Central Assistance and Special Plan Assistance for reconstruction plan of the State.

The State Govt's demand for the next year's Annual Plan Outlay was altogether Rs 1438 crores under Normal Plan Reconstruction Plan and One Time ACA.

The Annual Plan size was finalised during a meeting between Chief Minister O Ibobi Singh and the Deputy Chairman of the Planning Commission, Montek Singh Ahluwalia today at about 3.30 pm.

During the meeting the Chief Minister urged that a sum of Rs 1438 be granted as the Plan outlay for the next fiscal to enable the State Govt to improve its infrastructure, health care services, improve connectivity, generate employ- ment and self employment, provide drinking water, electrify villages and improve the power supply system, education etc.

The Chief Minister told the Deputy Chairman that in view of the fund constraints, even in 100 percent CSS/CPS Programmes, the State Government has not been able to release the second installment for several years due to non-expenditure and inability to furnish utilisation certificates.

However the CM said that 100 percent expenditure under the earmarked sectors for the current financial year is expected as the Ministry of Finance has allowed the State to avail Rs 500 crores as Special Ways and Means Allowances in addition to the normal facilities provided by the RBI.

This measure has since enabled the State Govt to streamline the implementation of various programmes during the current fiscal so that the State can claim the second installment on time, the Chief Minister added.

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