(a) whether the Integrated Action Plan for selected backward and tribal districts especially
in the interiors and remote areas affected due to Left Wing Extremist are not being implemented
and a vacuum has been created in development; and
(b) if so, the proposed measures to bridge the gap and to give more stress on roads,
culverts and bridges so that the remote/interiors are linked to the district headquarter/main
stream ultimately causing development?
MINISTER OF STATE FOR PLANNING, SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY AND EARTH SCIENCES (DR. ASHWANI KUMAR)
(a) : An Integrated Action Plan (IAP) for 60 Selected Tribal and Backward Districts in 9
States was approved by the Government on 25.11.2010 with a block grant of Rs. 25 crore and
Rs. 30 crore per district for 2010-11 and 2011-12 respectively to be placed at the disposal
of the Committee headed by the District Collector and consisting of the Superintendent of
Police of the District and the District Forest Officer. The District-level Committee has
the flexibility to spend the amount for development schemes according to need, as assessed
by it. The State Governments and the District Collectors/ District Magistrates have also been
advised to ensure a suitable form of consultation with the local Member of Parliament on the
schemes to be taken up under IAP. The District-level Committee has to draw up a Plan consisting
of concrete proposals for public infrastructure and services such as School Buildings,
Anganwadi Centres, Primary Health Centres, Drinking Water Supply, Village Roads, Electric
lights in public places such as PHCs and schools, etc. The schemes so selected will show
results in the short term. The entire allocation of Rs. 1500 crore @ Rs. 25 crore per district
was released in 2010-11. In the current year the allocation is Rs. 1800 crore @Rs. 30 crore
per district of which Rs. 1000 crore have already been released. The expenditure reported by
the districts is Rs. 1284.75 crore as on 17.11.2011. The Development Commissioner of the
State/equivalent officer in charge of development in the State is responsible for scrutiny
of expenditure and monitoring of the IAP in the State. At the Central level, regular
video-conferences/meetings have been heid with the State Governments and District
Magistrates/District Collectors to review the progress under the Scheme.
(b): Out of the 60705 works taken up, roads/culverts account for 8553 works. Further, the
guidelines for PMGSY have been relaxed for IAP districts so that remote/interior areas can be
linked. Habitations with a population of 250 and above (2001 Census) are now eligible for
coverage under PMGSY. Further, the cost of bridges upto 75 metres under PMGSY will be borne
by the Government of India as against 50 metres for other areas and the minimum tender package
amount has been reduced to Rs. 50 lakh.