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Planning and Development Department
Demand No.35
Policy Note 2002-2003
1.2.5. Western Ghats Development Programme :
In Tamil Nadu, the Programme was initiated in 1975-76 and is presently implemented in 33 Taluks of Tamil Nadu in 8 Districts namely:
- 1. Coimbatore
- 2. Erode
- 3. Dindigul
- 4. Theni
- 5. Madurai
- 6. Virudhunagar
- 7. Tirunelveli and
- 8. Kanyakumari.
Theni and Kanyakumari are fully covered under WGDP. The broad objectives of the programme are:
- Maintenance of the ecological balance which is essential for preservation of genetic diversity and plant and animal life support systems.
- To restore the ecological damage caused by human interactions and to create awareness among the people on the implications of ecological degradation, and to enlist their active participation in eco-development schemes.
Under this Programme, the main activities undertaken are Soil conservation, Horticulture, Forestry, Minor Irrigation, Rural roads, Animal Husbandry, Fisheries, Sericulture, Khadi and Village Industries and Palm Products development.
An outlay of Rs.1099.00 lakhs was approved by the Union Planning Commission, Government of India for 2001-2002. The Sector-wise details of outlay and expenditure incurred during 2001-2002 are as follows:
Rs. in lakhs
Sl.No. |
Name of the Sector |
Outlay for
2001-2002 |
Expen-diture
for
2001-2002 |
1 |
Soil conservation |
345.59 |
345.59 |
2 |
Horticulture |
150.00 |
150.00 |
3 |
Animal Husbandry |
40.86 |
40.86 |
4 |
Forestry |
328.46 |
328.46 |
5 |
Sericulture |
23.10 |
23.10 |
6 |
Fisheries |
27.46 |
27.46 |
7 |
Minor Irrigation |
34.00 |
34.00 |
8 |
K & V Industries |
5.00 |
5.00 |
9 |
Palm Products Development |
6.00 |
6.00 |
10 |
Rural Roads |
56.50 |
56.50 |
11 |
WG Cell & Evaluation |
23.50 |
23.50 |
12 |
Remote Sensing |
20.00 |
20.00 |
13 |
Tourism |
4.00 |
4.00 |
14 |
Rural Development |
10.35 |
10.35 |
15 |
Local Bodies |
11.78 |
11.78 |
16 |
Community Activities |
12.40 |
12.40 |
TOTAL |
1099.00 |
1099.00 |
For the year 2002-2003 Plan, proposals for Rs.1099.00 lakhs have been prepared and sent to Union Planning Commission for approval. Budget provisions for the above sectors have been made in the respective Demands for Grants.
1.2.6. Twenty Point Program
This is a poverty alleviation programme being implemented since 1986. The main components are Rural Health, Rural Housing, Slum Clearance, Child Welfare, Rural Water Supply, Employment generation and Welfare of SC/ST. Monthly reviews are being undertaken both at the State and All India levels.
1.2.7. Evaluation of Major Programmes
Evaluation of Schemes to ensure that the benefits actually reach the targeted population is an important function of the Department. Both concurrent and terminal evaluations are done by Directorate of Evaluation and Applied Research and the outcomes are analysed and course corrections and policy changes, if any, are suggested to Government.
1.2.8. World Trade Organisation (WTO) Cell:
As per G.O.Ms.No.121, Planning and Development Department, dated 19.11.2001, a nodal cell has been formed in Planning and Development Department to coordinate matters relating to World Trade Organisation.
As announced in the Governor's address to the Legislative Assembly on 9th March 2002, action is being taken to reconstitute the Cell with experts from various fields to study the ramifications of World Trade Organisation Agreements, and to evolve strategies to maximise the benefits to the State.
- 1.3 Heads of Department
The departments under the administrative control of Planning and Development Department are as follows:
- (i) State Planning Commission
- (ii) Department of Economics and Statistics
- (iii) Department of Evaluation and Applied Research
The functions of the above departments are given briefly in the following pages.
STATE PLANNING COMMISSION
2.1 The State Planning Commission was constituted in Tamil Nadu on 25th May 1971. The State Planning Commission is an Advisory Body and makes its recommendations to the Cabinet. The responsibility for taking and implementing policy decisions will rest with the Government.
The main responsibilities of the Commission are: (i) Preparation of Five Year Plans, Annual Plans and Mid-term Review of the Five Year Plans, (ii) Appraisal and selection of new (Part II) proposals for the Annual Plans, (iii) Review of the progress in implementation of the schemes/programmes/projects that are included in the Annual Plans, (iv) Decentralised planning and related matters, (v) Project formulation, monitoring and evaluation, (vi) Development and maintenance of data base and (vii) Rendering advice to the Government on issues of social and economic relevance.
The State Planning Commission has been reconstituted on 17.09.2001 with Hon'ble Chief Minister as Chairman and Dr.M.S.Swaminathan as Vice-Chairman, besides a Full Time Member, 6 Part Time Members, 4 Ex-Officio Members and a Member-Secretary. The State Planning Commission can avail the services of Research Institutions and individual experts so that best talent in the country is utilised for planning and development.
Apart from the normal activities, State Planning Commission also undertakes certain specialised tasks. Details of the important activities are given below:
2.2 Monitoring of Tamil Nadu's Economy :
State Planning Commission is preparing the Quarterly Report on the State Economy for Tamil Nadu in which the performance of the Core Sectors of the economy viz., Agriculture, Industries and Power along with Revenue collection, Price behaviour of essential commodities, Employment Generation, Plan performance, etc., are reviewed.
2.3 Decentralised District Planning:
Article 243 G of 73rd Constitutional Amendment Act endows the local bodies to function as institutions of self-government and towards preparation of plans for the economic development and social justice.
State Planning Commission has already prepared comprehensive guidelines for formulation of District Development Plan and the Government have given the approval for these guidelines. The District Planning Committees have been constituted. Formulation of the District Development Plan is likely to be commenced from the financial year 2002-03.
With a view to assist the District Planning Committees in consolidation of the District Development Plan, District Planning Cells with a minimum supporting staff of District Planning Officer, Technical Assistant, Assistant and Office Assistant for each District are functioning in 28 districts. For effective and efficient functioning of the District Planning Cells, infrastructure support like furniture, computer, telephone, modem facility for internet connection as well as jeeps have been provided.
2.4. Tamil Nadu State Land Use Board:
A Nucleus Cell has been functioning in the State Planning Commission for looking after the State Land Use Board under the chairmanship of Dr.M.S.Swaminathan, Vice-Chairman, State Planning Commission. The functions of the State Land Use Board are as follows:
(i) To ensure that effective measures are taken to protect good agricultural lands, which are the State’s most precious asset, against depletion by wind or sea erosion, water logging and salinity or by urbanisation and industrialisation;
(ii) To take up detailed surveys to give an accurate picture of the soil resources in the State and their location for the purposes of carrying out ameliorative and development measures.
(iii) To take necessary measures for prevention of siltation of medium and major irrigation projects and river basins.
(iv) Any other matters relating to proper use of land and water.
2.5. Human Development Report for Tamil Nadu :
The Tamil Nadu Human Development Report (TNHDR) is under preparation as an in-house exercise by the State Planning Commission, with technical inputs from Directorate of Economics and Statistics and expert groups. The sectoral chapters are being edited by a professional editor and the final report is expected to be released shortly.
2.6. Tenth Five Year Plan:
The Approach Paper for the Tenth Plan has been discussed in the National Development Council meeting held on 01.09.2001 at New Delhi. Based on the objectives and priorities indicated in the National Development Council meeting, State Planning Commission has undertaken the exercise of formulating the Tenth Five Year Plan.
The draft Outline for the Tenth Five Year Plan (2002-2007) has been prepared by the State Planning Commission in consultation with Members and departments of Government. The vision is "to provide opportunities for a healthy and productive life for all" and this goal will be realised through the implementation of the Hon'ble Chief Minister's 15 Point programme, a road map for the Tenth Plan.
The outlays for the Tenth Five Year Plan 2002-2007 and the Annual Plan 2002-2003 will be decided in the meeting between the Hon'ble Chief Minister and Deputy Chairman, Union Planning Commission to be held shortly.
 
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