(a) whether there is a proposal for widening the scope of Backward Regions Grant Fund (BRGF) in future, if so, the details thereof, if not, the reasons therefor;
(b) whether the Government has blocked the fund to be given to the States under BRGF;
(c) if not, the details of the fund provided to the districts of border States under BRGF during the financial year 2016-17; and
(d) the details of the districts not to be provided fund under BRGF and the reasons therefor, State/UT-wise?
MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF PANCHAYATI RAJ
(SHRI PARSHOTTAM RUPALA)
(a) to (d): The Backward Regions Grant Fund Programme has been delinked from budgetary support of the Central Government with effect from the financial year 2015-16. Therefore, no fund was released to the States since 2016-17 under BRGF. This is in view of enhanced fiscal space made available to the States by the Fourteenth Finance Commission on account of higher devolution to the States from 32% to 42% of the Centre’s net tax receipts. Moreover, under Fourteenth Finance Commission (FFC) award (2015-20), grants to the tune of Rs. 2,00,292.20 crore have been allocated to duly constituted Gram Panchayats, which is more than three times the allocation under the Thirteenth Finance Commission award. FFC award are used by Gram Panchayats for providing drinking water, sanitation, roads, street lights and other basic services.
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