The Planning Commission approved an Annual Plan outlay of 28,000 crore rupees for Bihar for the current fiscal . The state's Annual Plan outlay for 2012-13 was finalised at a meeting in New Delhi yesterday between the Commission's Deputy Chairman Montek Singh Ahluwalia and Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar. Commenting on the state's performance, Mr. Ahluwalia said that Bihar is fast catching up with developed states. He assured the state that the on-going special assistance package for Bihar would continue through the 12th Plan period. He also said that the Commission would be shortly seeking central government’s approval for the same. The commission applauded state's achievements in health and education sectors but there was need for improving the standards of education. It also pointed out that the main focus of the 12th plan would be on quality expansion rather than a quantity one. On the other hand, the Chief Minister Mr. Kumar briefed the Commission on the achievements of the State and and its future strategy. He said the state government would be targetting a growth rate of 13 per cent in the next Plan inclusive of seven per cent in the agriculture sector.