lannin in ndia 5.27
The Draft Approach Paper lays down the (vi) For the GDP to grow at 9 per cent,
major targets of the Plan, the key challenges in commercial energy supplies will have to
meeting them, and the broad approach that must grow at a rate between 6.5 and 7 per cent
be followed to achieve the stated objectives which per year. Since India’s domestic energy
are summed-up as follows: supplies are limited, dependence upon
(i) Growth rate of 9 per cent is targeted imports will increase. Import dependence
for the Plan. However, in view of the in the case of petroleum has always been
uncertainties in the global economy and high and is projected to be 80 per cent in
the challenges in the domestic economy, the Twelfth Plan.
the Approach Paper indicates that it (vii) Even in the case of coal, import
could be achieved only if some difficult dependence is projected to increase as the
decisions are taken. growth of thermal generation will require
(ii) It emphasizes the need to intensify efforts coal supplies, which cannot be fully met
to have 4 per cent average growth in from domestic mines.
the agriculture sector during the Plan (viii) It suggests the need to take steps to reduce
period; with foodgrains growing at about energy intensity of production processes,
2 per cent per year and non-food grains increase domestic energy supply as
(notably, horticulture, livestock, dairying, quickly as possible and ensure rational
poultry and fisheries) growing at 5 to 6 energy pricing that will help achieve both
per cent. objectives, viz., reduced energy intensity
(iii) The higher growth in agriculture would of production process and enhance
not only provide broad based income domestic energy supply, even though it
benefits to the rural population but also may seem difficult to attempt.
help restrain inflationary pressure, (ix) It draws attention to evolving a holistic
which could arise if high levels of growth water management policy aiming at
are attempted without corresponding more efficient conservation of water and
growth in domestic food production also in water use efficiency, particularly in
capabilities. the field of agriculture.
(iv) It proposes that the major flagship (x) It argues that a new legislation for land
programmes which were instrumental acquisition is necessary, which strikes
for promoting inclusiveness in the an appropriate balance between the need
Eleventh Plan should continue in the for fair compensation to those whose
Twelfth Plan—there is a need to focus on land is acquired and whose livelihood is
issues of implementation and governance disrupted, and the need to ensure that
to improve their effectiveness. land acquisition does not become an
(v) The Plan indicates that the energy impossible impediment to meeting our
needs of rapid growth will pose a major needs for infrastructure development,
challenge since these requirements have industrial expansion and urbanisation.
to be met in an environment where (xi) It maintains that health, education and
domestic energy prices are constrained skill development will continue to be
and world energy prices are high and the focus areas in the Twelfth Plan, and
likely to rise further. that there is a need to ensure adequate