Ninth Plan West Bengal 1997-2002 Development and Planning Department

Abstract

The Eighth Plan of West Bengal centred around the prime issues of employment generation, self-reliance and involvement of people in decentralised process of planning. Land reforms, increase in the level of production and services by provision of modem inputs, technology and infrastructural facilities and emphasis on socio-economic welfare of the weaker and needy sections of the society were the major thrust areas of planning. The Eighth Plan thus prioritised the activities under energy, social services, industry, irrigation, rural development and agriculture. Main objectives of the Plan were the sustenance of the tempo of growth with redistributive justice for increasing the labour intensity of agricultural and industrial activities, strengthening the network of basic infrastructures and provision of improved amenities for human development.