Deputy Chairman of Planning Commission Montek Singh Ahluwalia says, it is absolutely vital for the Indian economy to achieve a turn around in the second half of the current year to gradually achieve 9 nine percent growth by the end of the 12 plan period. He was breifing newmen in New Delhi on Saturday after the full Planning commission meeting chaired by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to approve the 12th five year Plan document. Ahluwalia said, the revised average growth target of 8.2 percent is realistic and strong inclusive growth can be achieved by substantial implementation of policy actions outlined in the Plan document.

Ahluwalia said, it is also critical for Agriculture sector to achieve 4 per cent growth to ensure inclusiveness. He said Agriculture had grown at 3.3 per cent per year during the 11 plan, faster than 2.4 per cent in tenth plan. Terming this as very positive, Ahluwalia said, the 12 plan starts at a time when the world economy is experiencing difficulties and the Indian economy has slowed down. He said short term problems present a challenge but they should not lead to undue pessimism over medium term prospects. Ahluwalia said, the Indian economy has developed many areas of strenghth and enable us to get back to high growth. He said, the country has seen good performance of inclusive growth. Decline in poverty has been faster, Growth of Per capita income in rural areas has gone up and the impact of government flagship schemes like MGNAREGA has brought in perceptional positive changes across the country. He said, the 12 Plan envisages to do even better.

Ahluwalia said, 50 million new jobs will be created in the non – farm sector during the plan period. He said, the 12 Plan plan's focus on critical issues of health, education, clean Drinking water and Sanitation has been widely appreciated.Minister of State for Planning Ashwini Kumar said, for the first time a chapter on governance have been included in the Plan document to ensure total transparency.