Pant offered support to the Delhi government in drawing a perspective plan Vision 2020. He said the urban development ministry had been asked to convene a meeting of the National Capital Region states to reactivate the concept of decongesting Delhi.

The Planning Commission deputy chairman pointed out that the Delhi Vidyut Board has a very low plant load factor of 47 per cent against the national average of 63 per cent. Similarly, the Delhi Transport Corporation needs a detailed review.

Pant said Delhi needs to encourage suitable non-polluting industries and set up common effluent treatment plants at different industrial estates to check pollution.

Dikshit assured the Planning Commission ofbetter utilisation of funds. She said that the state proposes a parallel channel to the Yamuna for the outflow of effluents.

Earlier this week, Annual Plans for Haryana and Tamil Nadu (1999-2000) were finalised at Rs 2,300 crore and Rs 5,250 crore, respectively.

Pant said the states should follow the Centre in mobilising resources from disinvestment of equity in the public sector undertakings.

He appreciated the efforts of Tamil Nadu in population control and education. He added that the state needs to fully operationalise primary healthcare institutions for rapid reduction in infant mortality rates.Karunanidhi said Tamil Nadu is likely to record a six per cent growth in SDP during the first two years of the Ninth Plan. During the next financial year, about 40 per cent allocations would go towards strengthening of economic infrastructure, 35 per cent towards social services sector and remaining to agriculture and rural development.

He demanded the inclusion of development of eastern ghats in the NinthPlan and also that the Centre should at least cover 50 per cent of the additional burden and to pay revision based on the Fifth Pay Commission's recommendations.

Pant commended Haryana for realising foodgrain production during 1997-98, reforms in the power sector, and performance in education. He, however, showed his concern for high T&D losses and low plant load factor.He also pointed out that oilseed production and fisheries leave a lot to be desired. The state's average efficiency in the irrigation system was not more than 35 per cent, he said.

The state should pay more attention to low literacy rate among females and high dropout rate in case of girls.

The deputy chairman also said the state needs to devolve administrative and financial powers to panchayati raj institutions to accelerate the pace of development. There is also need to constitute district planning committees which are vital for decentralised planning. Pant offered to share the burden of perspective planning with the state.

Bansi Lalraised the policy issues relating to revision of the Gadgil-Mukherjee formula for central assistance, the state's share in central taxes, advance release of funds for EAPs, development of the National Capital Region, compensation for pay revision, calamity relief, etc. He also requested for special assistance for the development of the Morni hills area.