Thaindian News

Mumbai, May 20 (IANS) The centre has commended the assiduous efforts made by the Maharashtra government in implementing schemes in health, education, water and power supply, according to a top official.

Attending a marathon three-hour presentation for the Maharashtra Annual Plan 2011-12 made by Chief Minister Prithviraj Chavan Thursday evening, Planning Commission Deputy Chairman Montek Singh Ahluwalia expressed satisfaction by the state’s progress in the fields of irrigation and water management.

“The other states must take note of this,” Ahluwalia said at the meeting.

The centre approved a Rs.42,000 crore annual plan for Maharashtra for 2011-12, marking an increase of over Rs.4,084 crore over last year’s Rs.37,916 crore.

It also advised the state government to utilise science and technology more to address development-related problems, with reference to the problems of women, children and tribals.

Lauding the state government for the good work in reforms and performance of the power sector, the central government offered its expertise in handling the problems following reforms in power distribution.

Chavan also gave an overview of attracting Rs.250,000 crore foreign investment to the state over the next four years through 63 special economic zones and a proposed new industrial policy due to be announced this year.

Assuring that Mumbai was on way to becoming a world class city, Chavan assured the commission that the country’s first monorail and the city’s first Metro line would be commissioned by May 2012, followed by Metro line-2 by 2014.

Besides Chavan, the high-level state delegation included Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar, Social Justice Minister Shivajirao Moghe, Tribal Development Minister Babanrao Pachpute, Minister of State for Finance and Planning Rajendra Mulak, Chief Secretary Ratnakar Gaikwad and other senior officials.