Question : FOREIGN ASSISTANCE FOR POOR PERSONS IN RURAL AREAS



(a) the schemes launched so far and the ones that the Union Government proposes to launch for the development and the upliftment of the poor persons living in the rural areas of the country particularly in Andhra Pradesh;

(b) the allocation of funds made by the Union Government as well as that from the State Governments indicating the rural areas likely to be covered, State-wise;

(c) whether there is any assistance earmarked for the above purpose through any Foreign Investment;

(d) if so, the details thereof; and

(e) the time by which the new schemes are likely to be implemented ?

Answer given by the minister


MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF RURAL DEVELOPMENT (SHRIMATI SURYAKANTA PATIL)

(a) The Ministry of Rural Development is implementing a number of Centrally Sponsored Schemes for poverty alleviation and rural development in the country. All these schemes are being implemented in the State of Andhra Pradesh.

(b) State-wise Central allocation of funds under major rural development schemes during the current financial year (2005-06) is given in the enclosed Table at Annexure-I.

(c) to (e) The Andhra Pradesh Rural Livelihoods Project (APRLP) funded by the Department for International Development (DFID), UK, is being implemented in 5 districts of Andhra Pradesh viz. Anantpur, Kurnool, Mehbobnagar, Nalgonda and Prakasam. The objective of the project is to comprehensively implement pro-poor watershed based sustainable rural livelihoods in the aforesaid 5 districts. The project was sanctioned in June 1999 for a period of 7 years and the total project cost is Rs. 320.00 crore. Under the project, 500 new watershed projects, 100 in each district, are being implemented with livelihoods support. The project is also supporting the enhancement of livelihoods of the identified poor in 2000 ongoing watersheds in the state. During the period 2000-2002 to 2004-05, funds to the tune of Rs. 183.54 crore have been released for implementation of the projects and Rs. 127.22 crore has been utilized. During the current year, against the budget provisions of Rs. 60.00 crore, funds to the tune of Rs. 31.85 crore have so far been released