(a) whether the Backward Region Grants Fund Scheme meant for the backward districts has been scrapped from this year onward;
(b) if so, the details thereof and the reasons therefor; and
(d) the manner in which the said districts are likely to be compensated ?
MINISTER OF STATE FOR PANCHAYATI RAJ (SHRI NIHAL CHAND)
(a), (b) & (d) :The Backward Regions Grant Fund Programme has been delinked from support of the Central Government with effect from 2015-16. The Central Government has accepted the recommen- dations of the Fourteenth Finance Commission for the grant of Rs. 2,87,436 crore to local bodies for the period 2015-2020 for the provision of basic services such as drinking water, sanitation, local body roads, footpaths, playgrounds and other infrastructure.