The Planning Commission of India has finalized the Annual Plan of Gujarat for the year 2010-11 at Rs.30,000 crores. This shows Rs.6500 crores increase than the previous year. The fruitful meeting was held here today afternoon between delegation led by Chief Minister of Gujarat Shri Narendra Modi and Deputy Chairman , Planning Commission Dr. Montenk Singh Ahluwalia.

The original plan size of Gujarat as proposed by Gujarat Government was Rs.29,500 crores as it was in the State Budget but in the meeting with Planning Commission, Gujarat CM while giving major thrust to the Swarnim Jaynati Year’s Annual Plan to focus on three innovative special projects like (1) Solar Park at Santalpur in North Gujarat in 3000 acre with generation capacity of 500 MW Solar Energy at the first year project cost of Rs. 253 crores (2) Pilot project to provide basic underground sewerage infrastructure in 82 taluka & villages of population of more than 10,000 in non-tribal & population of 7000 in tribal villages under RURBAN concept at the cost of Rs.122 crores and (3) Kaushalya vardhan- Skill development pilot project in 153 Rural Clusters for rural youth and specially women employable skills at the cost of Rs.125 crores.

All three innovative projects got clearances from the Planning Commission with the appreciation.

The Deputy Chairman of Planning Commission Shri Montenk Singh Ahluwalia while praising capability of State Government to increase financial resources, said that Gujarat could show a way to many innovative ideas of development.

Shri Narendra Modi said that the first 3 years of 11th FY Plan, Gujarat has achieved a sustainable growth rate of 10.5% and is committed to achieve the target of 11.2% in the remaining two years.

The Planning Commission also approved the Revised Investment Clearance of Rs.39240 crores for Narmada Sardar Sarovar Project . The SSP will now get financial assistance from Accelerated Irrigation Benefit Programme (AIBP) of Central scheme.

Gujarat CM requested the Planning Commission’s help to remove Cotton export ban which has resulted a huge loss of Rs.2000 crores and ruined the agro base economy of cotton farming.

Shri Narendra Modi and Minister of State, Planning, Shri Saurbhbhai Patel narrated the injustice done to Gujarat by GOI Ministries in allocation of Natural Gas from D6 /KG Basin for Ahmedabad city & GSPC Network for city Gas distribution and said that while answering Lok Sabha question, Union Petroleum Minister had announced city gas distribution entities to GSPC & Ahmedabad city but very next day the Ministry left out the names of GSPC & Ahmedabad City. Injustice also made to Gujarat on the issue of Royalty payment by- passing the Union Cabinet order which has resulted to loss of State Revenue of Rs.2000 crores in last two years. Dr. Montek Singh Ahluwalia promised to look into the matter.

The Chairman and Members of Planning Commission noted the development of Gujarat in all sectors and appreciated the State Government’s progress.

Gujarat Finance Minister Shri Vajubhai Vala, Minister of State for Planning Shri Saurabhbhai Patel, Chief Secretary Shri A.K.Joti and senior secretaries attended the meeting.