Question : Regional Imbalances

(a) whether regional imbalance still exists in various States despite implementation of various Centrally Sponsored Schemes (CSS) and the other measures taken by the Government;
(b) if so, the details thereof and the reasons therefor;
(c) whether the Government has conducted any study to identity regional imbalances among the States;
(d) if so, the details along with the outcome thereof and the action taken by the Government to remove such imbalances; and
(e) whether the Government has decided to increase the funds under (CSS) for backward districts in these States and if so, the details thereof?

MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) OF THE MINISTRY OF PLANNING AND MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF CHEMICALS AND FERTILIZERS
(RAO INDERJIT SINGH)

(a) to (e): The sub-continental dimensions of India diversified with inherent differences in geographical conditions resulted in differential resource endowment, infrastructure and socio-economic parameters led to regional disparities in terms of development of different regions. To redress regional imbalances, an Inter-Ministerial Task Group was constituted in August, 2004, which submitted its report in January, 2005. This group identified 170 backward districts including 55 extremists affected districts, and inter-alia recommended for setting up a Backward District Grant Fund (BRGF). The BRGF programme was launched in 2006–07 for providing financial assistance for supplementing and converging existing developmental inflows in the identified 250 districts including 170 districts identified by the Inter-Ministry Task Group (IMTG) with a view to redressing regional imbalances in development. Till Financial Year 2014-15, financial assistance was given to accelerate socio-economic development of the Most Backward Regions/Districts in the country under the Backward Region Grant Fund (BRGF) programme. Central funds are mainly released to States under various Central Sector/Centrally Sponsored Schemes.

Following the recommendation of the Fourteenth Finance Commission for biggest ever increase in States'' share in the divisible pool of Central taxes and duties from 32% to 42%, numerous Schemes including BRGF along with other State Plan Schemes stand subsumed in the larger devolution to States since 2015.
----