Dikshit asks plan panel for separate power grid

Chief minister Sheila Dikshit on Thursday discussed various issues, including islanding of power supply in Delhi, with deputy chairman of Planning Commision Montek Singh Ahluwalia.

Ahluwalia has supported Delhi’s demand for setting up a separate grid on the lines of ‘islanding’ in Mumbai. “Islanding of vital installations of Delhi is necessary to guard against power failure. Ahluwalia assured us that the Planning Commission would definitely support it,” said Dikshit.

She further informed him that the state government would like to seek permission of the Centre and Planning Commission for offering an option of cash transfer to the Below Poverty Line (BPL) card holders under the Public Distribution System (PDS). Ahluwalia stated that in the proposed Food Safety Bill, a similar option is being included and it favoured the state government’s move.

New schemes

While referring to the ongoing schemes and the new schemes announced in the Budget 2012-13, Dikshit stated that her government has earmarked around 65 per cent of allocation for social sector.

She referred to the new schemes such as ‘Annshri Yojna’, ‘Kerosene Free Delhi’ and ‘Delhi Swarojgar Yojana’.

Meanwhile, the annual plan 2012-13 of National Capital Territory of Delhi (NCT) was finalised by the Planning Commission in a meeting which was also attended by the members and senior officers of the Planning Commission, chief secretary, commissioner (transport), principal secretary (finance and planning) and other senior officials of the Delhi government.

 The size of annual plan 2012-13 of Delhi was approved at Rs 15,862 crore, including Rs 862 crore for public sector undertaking plan.
The size of annual plan 2012-13 is Rs 1,662 crore more than the corresponding figure of last year.