Kerala gets more than it sought as plan outlay

NEW DELHI:  With a special focus on addressing the second generation problems of the state, the Planning Commission on Wednesday approved the annual Plan of  Rs 12,010 crore for the year 2011-12.This is Rs 1,000 crore more than what the state government had asked for.The Plan outlay was finalised at a meeting between Chief Minister Oommen Chandy and Deputy Chairman, Planning Commission, Montek Singh Ahluwalia apart from other ministers and officials.“The primary focus of the Plan would be on health and education. The state is getting very limited Central assistance in these sectors because we have already met all the targets.  “So we had made our proposals in tune with the second generational issues that we are facing in these sectors and the Planning Commission was very much supportive of our demands,” said Oommen Chandy after the meeting.He said the state government has sought more freedom to decide the parameters in Central  schemes, including MGNREGA and PMSGSY.The state government has submitted an additional  list of 49 more activities to be included in the MGNREGA list of works, including dairying and fishing activities.Apparently, the Chief Minister complained to the Planning Commission that the state was paying a heavy price for its achievement as it was not getting its  due share in many Centre-sponsored schemes as it has already met its targets in most socio-economic indicators.