Guwahati: With food production logging an all-time record and continuous thrust towards micro, small and medium industries, Assam is likely to witness a 9 per cent growth in its GDP by the end of the 12th Five Year Plan. This will be significantly higher compared to 6.86 per cent achieved during the 11th Plan, Assam Governor Janaki Ballav Patnaik said today after hoisting the National Flag on the 65th Republic Day here.
“The annual average economic growth rate registered during the 11th Five Year Plan was 6.86 per cent. This is expected to reach 9 per cent by the end of the 12th Five Year Plan if the current trend continues,” he said.
The state is revenue surplus and there has been a steady increase in the collections on account of various fiscal measures adopted by the state government, he added. “Plan fund allocation for Assam for the year 2013-14 was Rs 12,500 crore which is 16.66 per cent higher over the plan size of 2012-13,” Patnaik said.
Talking about agriculture, the Governor said the Centre has categorised Assam among the ‘highest ranked states' for production of food grains.
“The state has achieved an all time high production of 52.33 lakh metric tonne (MT) of rice with an overall food grain production of 56 lakh MT during 2012-13,” he added. Agriculture in the state is diversifying into activities such as horticulture, floriculture, organic farming, dairy and fishery products.
