Mukul Sangma meets Montek Singh Ahluwalia in New Delhi on Tuesday. Picture by UB Photos

Shillong, May 28: The Planning Commission has asked the Meghalaya government to focus on the high dropout rate in schools while finalising the state’s annual plan size for 2013-14 while chief minister Mukul M. Sangma has told the commission that illegal mining would be put to an end within a year.

This year’s plan size has been fixed at Rs 4,151 crore — up by Rs 212 crore from the preceding fiscal.

Planning Commission deputy chairman Montek Singh Ahluwalia, who met Sangma in New Delhi today, advised the state to undertake academic and governance reforms in the higher education system, an official communiqué stated. At the same time, he asked the state to focus more on the high dropout rate.

The commission suggested that the state prepare a comprehensive strategic plan, indicating the measures and interventions for development of higher education and consolidation of existing institutions.

The commission advised the state government to take necessary policy initiatives to further strengthen the industry sector and fully use its immense potential in tourism and arts and craft.

It also asked the state to encourage public-private partnership in all sectors of economy with focus on integrated water resources management, basin planning, water quality, monitoring and management.

While appreciating the efforts of state government in expediting development, Ahluwalia also complimented the state on financial management and achievements in human development index.

He said the plan panel intends to bring about more flexibility in implementation of centrally sponsored schemes and a cabinet approval in this regard is expected shortly.

Briefing the commission on the achievements, Sangma said between 10th and 11th Plan period, foodgrain production has gone up to 3.19 lakh tonnes from 2.70 lakh tonnes. Horticulture production is 5.22 lakh tonnes against 3.97 lakh tonnes. He said literacy rate has reached 75.48 per cent against 62.6 per cent in the 10th Plan and 81 per cent of villages have been electrified.

Sangma sought the commission’s support for externally aided projects in water sector, green energy, new Shillong township and forestry.

Sangma said people cutting across various groups and communities have evinced interest in the ongoing development initiatives in the state. He added that multilateral agencies and centres of excellence have shown interest in partnership with Meghalaya.

The chief minister told the commission that under the mining policy, which was introduced in November 2012, mining is envisaged to be gradually “regulated” and illegal mining will be put to an end within a period of one year.

A committee will be set up under the Planning Commission secretary to ensure timely release of funds to the state for various central programmes.