Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, December 05:
Planning Commission of India has approved the sectoral allocations of the plan outlay of Manipur for the fiscal year 2002-03 during a meeting held at the Yojana Bhavan, New Delhi yesterday and has given instruction to the State Government to release more fund in Road and Tourism sectors, an official source from Delhi informed.
The meeting presided over by Commission member Eva Nayar approved the sectoral allocations of the Rs 550 annual plan outlay of Manipur for the period 2002-03, the official disclosed adding that the meeting favoured that the State Government should allocate more fund in development of road and communication as well in Tourism sector where the State has great potential.
The State officials who attended the meeting are likely to hold consultation with the Chief Minister in this regard once they return, the source said.
Chief Secretary AP Sharma, Principal Secretary (Higher Education) V Chhiber, Principal Secretary (Planning) DS Poonia and other departmental officials concerned took part in the meeting from the State Government side.
It may be mentioned here that this time the State Government had allocated a sum of Rs 253 lakhs for the development of road and bridges and Rs 18 lakhs for Tourism.
Meanwhile another official source disclosed that though nothing had been mentioned about the Loktak Pat in the 11th Finance Commission, the Centre has formulated a special project for development of the biggest fresh water lake in the North East region as an important tourist attraction.
The source said the Planning Commission had already given a written instruction to the State Government for preparing an integrated report for the development of the deteriorating lake in consultation with a leading firm.