The Planning Commission has proposed to create five crore new job opportunities during the 12th Plan (2012-17). This, among other issues, will be discussed at the National Development Council (NDC) meeting, to be chaired by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on December 27.
The Commission, in its draft document, has listed 25 core indicators for the Plan. “These reflect the vision of rapid, sustainable and more inclusive growth,” it added.
The NDC meeting is crucial at a time when Gujarat elections have just concluded and States such as Bihar have raised their voice seeking special category status.
“Generate 50 million new work opportunities in the non-farm sector and provide skill certification to equivalent numbers during the 12{+t}{+h} Plan,” says the draft. It also highlights the need to reduce the head count ratio of consumption poverty by 10 percentage points over the preceding estimates.
With more focus on skill development, the draft talks about enhancing access to higher education by creating two million additional seats for each age group, aligned to the skill needs of the economy.
Service Delivery
On financial inclusion, the draft calls for providing access to banking services to 90 per cent of households. According to the provisional Census data for 2011, 58.7 per cent of households are making use of banking services, with 67.8 per cent in urban areas and 54.4 per cent in rural areas.
It also highlights the need for direct cash transfer. “Major subsidies and welfare-related beneficiary payments to be shifted to a direct cash transfer by the end of the 12{+t}{+h} Five-year Plan using the Aadhaar platform with linked bank accounts,” it says.
The Centre has already announced direct cash transfer to be introduced in 43 districts across the nation from January 1.
All the States have been advised to set State-specific targets corresponding to various national targets.
The draft Plan document has been cleared by the Cabinet. Once the NDC approves it, the document will come into force..