(a) the quantum of special central assistance to the sixth scheduled areas of the country during the last three years, Statewise;
(b) whether the Government propose to increase such assistance; and
(c) the reaction of the Government regarding slow development of these scheduled areas due to lack of adequate Government investment?
MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF PLANING, MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF STATISTICS AND PROGRAMME IMPLEMENTATION AND MINISTER OF STATE OF THE DEPARTMENT OF ADMINISTRATIVE REFORMS AND PUBLIC GRIEVANCES IN THE MINISTRY OF PERSONNEL, PUBLIC GRIEVANCES AND PENSIONS (SHRI ARUN SHOURIE)
(a) to (c) A statement is laid on the Table of the House
Statement as referred to in reply to part (a) to (c) of the Lok Sabha Starred Question No. 241 dated 15.12.99 regarding Central Assistance to Scheduled Areas by Dr. Jayanta Rongpi
Central Assistance for State’s Annual Plan comprises of Normal Central Assistance, Special Central Assistance for Special Area Programmes and Additional Central Assistance for Externally Aided Projects. Normal Central Assistance consists of formula based Central Assistance as approved by the NDC in December, 1991 and Special Grants under Article 275 (1). Special Central Assistance for Special Area Programmes such as BMS, Slum Development, HADP, BADP, AIBP, TSP, ControL of Shifting Cultivation, Assistance to NEC and Assistance under Non-lapsable Central Pool of Resources for the North East and Sikkim etc. is for specific objectives/ schemes/projects. Additional Central Assistance for EAPs is provided to States for specific schemes/programmes as approved by the Ministry of Finance and Donor agencies.
The areas included in the Sixth Schedule are located in the four North Eastern States viz. Assam, Meghalaya, Mizoram and Tripura and are covered by Autonomous Councils.
The States which cover the Sixth Schedule areas are among the ten States classified as Special Category States for favourable terms of Central Assistance under which Plan Assistsance is provided in the Grant – Loan ratio 90:10 as against the 30:70 ratio applicable to Non-Special Category States.
Central Assistance for Annual Plans of States is allocated directly to the State Government. Further allocation of this amount among sectors, regions and Local Bodies, including Autonomous Councils in Sixth Schedule Areas is done by the concerned State Govts. A statement indicating year-wise Central Assistance during the last three years for the four States where the Sixth Schedule Areas are located is enclosed.
Central Assistance to all States including those which have areas included in the Sixth Schedule is increased every year depending upon the overall increase in the budgetary support available for the Annual Plans.
The slow development of the Sixth Scheduled areas is on account of reasons which include adverse geographical features, hilly terrain, inadequacies of infrastructure and the delivery systems. While area programmes of Central Government referred to above target some of these problems unique to such areas, it is for the concerned State Governments to provide adequate resources for their overall development.
Statement as referred to in the reply to part (a) to (c) of the Lok Sabha Starred Question No. 241 dated 15.12.99 regarding Central Assistance to Scheduled Areas by Dr. Jayanta Rongpi
Central Assistance to States covering Sixth Schedule Areas
(Rs. In crore)
Particulars of Assam Meghalaya Central Assistance 1997-98 1998-99 1999-2000 1997-98 1998-99 1999-2000
1. Normal Central 1147.63 1006.59 1088.46 243.63 250.00 270.33 Assistance of which
(Special Grants 3.05 3.10 4.20 2.55 1.66 2.22 under Art 275(1)
2. ACA for EAPs 80.00 97.00 166.77 30.00 30.00 30.00
3. ACA for special 81.14 339.54 360.88 53.68 96.31 121.44 area programmes
Grand Total 1308.77 1443.13 1616.11 327.31 376.31 421.77
Mizoram Tripura
Particulars of 1997-98 1998-99 1999-2000 1997-98 1998-99 1999-2000 Central Assistance
1. Normal Central 236.48 273.17 315.39 310.22 38.00 414.50 Assistance Of which
Special Grants 1.24 1.07 0.96 2.31 1.62 1.25 under Art 275(1)
2. ACA for EAPs 5.00 10.00 10.00 15.00 15.00 15.00
3. ACA for Special Area 67.60 52.39 59.28 91.78 200.43 226.62 Programmes
Grand Total 309.08 335.56 384.67 417.00 598.75 656.12