(a) whether the Government has given special grants to States for upliftment of poor and
backward regions;
(b) if so, the details of allocations scheme-wise, State-wise;
(c) whether any new regional development special grants are being considered by the
Government;
(d) if so, the details thereof; and
(e) the criterion for granting approval of the same?
MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF PLANNING AND MINISTER OF STATE IN
THE MINISTRY OF PARLIAMENTARY AFFAIRS (SHRI V. NARAYANASAMY)
(a) & (b):Yes, Sir. The Government of India launched the Backward Regions Grant Fund
(BRGF) in August, 2006. The BRGF has two components viz. the District
Component under which 250 districts have been identified for coverage and the
Special Plans for Bihar and the Kalahandi-Bolangir-Koraput (KBK) districts of
Orissa. An allocation of Rs. 5800 crore has been made annually during the period
2007-08 to 2009-10. In addition, Bundelkhand Drought Mitigation Package has
been approved in November, 2009. A statement showing allocations made under
the Backward Regions Grant Fund during 2007-08 to 2009-10 and the allocations
for Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh for 2009-10 under the Bundelkhand
Drought Mitigation Package is enclosed.
(c): No, Sir.
(d) & (e):Do not arise.