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 and Integrated Action Plan for affected districts has affected the development programmes for some of the most vulnerable and backward regions of Odisha and if so, the details thereof; and

(c) whether the Government has provided a special package to the State Government for continuation of these programmes and if so, the details thereof?

THE 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. To stimulate capital expenditure and also to aid States in view of COVID-19 pandemic, the Government launched the Scheme for Special Assistance to States for Capital Expenditure. Under the Scheme, Rs.471.50 crore was released to Odisha in 2020-21 and Rs.561.00 crore is allocated to the State in 2021-22 for taking up capital works.

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