Question : Area Development Programmes

(a) whether the Government, appreciating the genuine concerns of the State Government, restores the provisions for area development programmes and if so, the details thereof;

(b) whether discontinuance of central assistance for area development programmes like special plan for KBK, Backward Region Grant Fund (BRGF) and Integrated Action Plan(IAP) for affected districts has affected the Development Programmes for some of the most vulnerable and backward regions of Odisha;

(c) if so, the details thereof; and

(d) whether the Government has provided a special package to the State for continuation of these programmes from the budget provision available with NITI Aayog; and

(e) if so, the details thereof?

MINISTER OF STATE FOR FINANCE
(SHRI PANKAJ CHAUDHARY)

(a) to (c): Following the 14th Finance Commission recommendations, the scheme - ‘Backward Regions Grant Funds’ has been delinked from support from the Centre since 2015-16. Further, the 12th Five Year Plan committed liabilities of Union Government towards the Special Plan for the KBK districts of Odisha have been discharged by releasing ‘Special Assistance’ of Rs.132.07 crore in 2015-16 and Rs.367.93 crore in 2016-17 to the State of Odisha.
(d) & (e): As per the Union Budget: 2021-22 documents, there is no separate budget line with NITI Aayog for financial assistance to States.
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