New Delhi, Feb 25 (IANS) Planning Commission Deputy Chairman Montek Singh Ahluwalia Monday lauded Haryana Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda for achieving nine percent growth in the state’s gross domestic product during the 10th Plan period. The plan panel deputy chief, whom Hooda met here to finalise the annual plan outlay, has now set the target of 11 percent growth for Haryana in the 11th Five-year Plan (2007-12). The state’s plan outlay for 2008-09 was fixed at Rs.66.50 billion, including Rs.1 billion for the projects of special importance.

“Policy initiatives clubbed with the efforts to improve infrastructure have helped in creating investment-friendly environment in the state. The freight corridor link and the national highway connectivity will further improve the investment scene in the state,” Ahluwalia said during the meeting.

Hooda said his government was focusing on further improving the social sector performance and the number of initiatives taken to benefit those to whom fruits of development have not reached fully.

According to a Planning Commission statement, Hooda told the meeting that investments of Rs.280 billion had already been made in the state while more worth Rs.600 billion were in the offing.