Question : SCHEME FOR BACKWARD REGIONS

(a) whether the Government has identified the socio-economic backward regions/districts in the country;

(b) if so, the details thereof, State/UT-wise including Telangana and Karnataka;

(c) whether the Government proposes to formulate any schemes / programmes for development of such backwards regions / districts in the country;

(d) if so, the details thereof; and

(e) the funds allocated and utilized during the last three years and the current year for the purpose, State/UT-wise including Telangana and Karnataka?

MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) MINISTRY OF PLANNING AND MINISTER OF STATE FOR DEFENCE (RAO INDERJIT SINGH)

(a) to(d):Backward regions / districts have been identified for coverage under the Backward Regions Grant Fund (BRGF). BRGF has two components;
(i) District Component covering 272 districts including 9 districts of Telangana and 6 districts of Karnataka (list at Annexure-I); and
(ii) State Component which includes the Special Plans for Bihar, West Bengal and the Kalahandi-Bolangir-Koraput (KBK) districts of Odisha and the Special Package for implementing Drought Mitigation Strategies in Bundelkhand Region of Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh. With the new initiative to replace Planning Commission with NITI Aayog, Government intends to devolve more funds to the States so that they are in a better position to address local development issues more effectively.

(e) A statement indicating funds allocated / released under District Component of BRGF during the last three years and the current year State-UT-wise includingTelangana and Karnataka is at Annexure-II.