Question : RURAL BUSINESS HUB SCHEME

(a) the aims and objectives of Rural Business Hubs (RBHs) along with the number of Panchayats in the country selected for their implementation and the progress made so far, State/UT-wise;

(b) the number of proposals received, sanctioned and pending with Government for opening of RBHs, State/UT-wise;

(c) the funds sanctioned, released and utilised by the State/UT during each of the last three years and the current year for the purpose; and

(d) the details of the targets fixed under the Scheme along with the steps taken/being taken by the Government to achieve the targets and the achievement thereof ?

MINISTER OF THE STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF PANCHAYATI RAJ (SHRI V. KISHORE CHANDRA DEO)

(a) The Ministry of Panchayati Raj (MoPR) was implementing the Rural Business Hub (RBH) Scheme during the 11th Five Year Plan (2007-12), adopting participatory development model, for the rural areas of the country, built on the platform of 4 Ps i.e., Public-Private-Panchayat- Partnership. The entire process was mediated /facilitated by the empowered Panchayati Raj Institutions. Under the Scheme, MoPR extended token financial support (not exceeding Rs. 25 lakh per project) for viable RBH projects and the balance project costs had to be converged through other Central / State Government Schemes/ Financial Institutions / Implementing Organizations etc.

(b) to (c) The total number of projects sanctioned and funds released to the implementing agencies in various States during the last three years under the RBH Scheme is at Annex.

(d) The Scheme has been discontinued during the 12th Five Year Plan. Therefore, no targets have been fixed for the scheme.