Wednesday, May 10 2006 10:10 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

New Delhi: Critical of the previous Five Year Plans for failing to register GDP growth with socio-economic development, Planning Commission Deputy Chairman Montek Singh Ahluwalia yesterday (May 9, 2006) said the Commsssion would aim at inclusive growth while preparing the 11th Plan.

The focus of the 11th Plan would be on empowering the disadvantaged class, poverty eradication programmes and on improving public supply of healthcare facilities and providing education to the masses, he said.

Stating that India's growth was very much closer to that of China, Alhuwalia however said "Deficiencies like poverty which is directly linked to growth, is holding India back".

"Even though the Sarva Siksha Abhiyan has taken off well, the school drop out rates continued to be high," he said, adding there was a need to increase public investment substantially in health and education sectors.

He said the Commission would chalk out a major strategic plan for social sector development, including human resource development and infrastructure.

Under the present fiscal federalism the Commission would seek to further improve its interface with the local authorities and provide knowledge inputs to the states over and above the function of providing funds to the states and acting as a link between the two.