Smallest state Goa has the highest per capita income

PANAJI, Oct 1: Goa, the smallest state in the Indian Union, has achieved the highest annual per capita income in the country, which amoun...

PANAJI, Oct 1: Goa, the smallest state in the Indian Union, has achieved the highest annual per capita income in the country, which amounted to Rs 19,000 in the last financial year.

Planning Commission member Montek Singh Ahluwalia told mediapersons here on Wednesday that Goa’s economy has been growing at an impressive six per cent annually over the last two decades.

Ahluawalia, who is credited with overseeing the economic liberalisation process under three successive governments at the Centre, till recently was finance secretary with the Government of India. He is visiting Goa as part of a Planning Commission team, here to finalise the state’s plan size. The state’s projected plan outlay has been increased to Rs 291 crore, up from the Rs 271 crore earlier projected. Last year’s plan size amounted to Rs 197 crore.

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The Planning Commission has identified infrastructure in Goa as a priority area in order to boost tourism. Among the projects identified are construction of roads, bridges and powersupply.

Ahluwalia also advised the government to club tourism infrastructure with rural and urban basic services to secure funding from external sources. He also promised assistance from the Planning Commission in this regard.