(a) The number of jobs created by the centres being run under the Growth Centre Scheme
during the each of the last three years and in the current year;
(b) whether efforts have been made to review/ evaluate performance of the said
Scheme;
(c) if so, the details thereof;
(d) the targets set under the scheme and the achievement thereof ;
(e) whether the centres running at present are likely to achieve the ` targets; and
(f) if so, the details thereof ?
THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY(SHRI ASHWANI KUMAR)
(a) to (f): The Growth Centre Scheme was announced in 1988 and came into operation in 1991.
Since its inception 71 Growth Centres have been sanctioned allover the country taking into
account combined criteria of area, population and extent of industrial backwardness.
On the basis of outcome of a sample evaluation by Planning Commission and detailed
impact evaluation by National Productivity Council, Department of Industrial Policy &
Promotion, in consultation with Planning Commission decided to discontinue the Growth Centre
Scheme as it had largely failed to achieve its objectives. However, central assistance under
the Scheme is being provided up to 31.03.2009 for the Growth Centres located in North Eastern
Region (NER), J&K, Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand.