60 Maoist-hit districts to get Rs.30 crore each

NEW DELHI - The union government Monday said Rs.30 crore would be given to each of the 60 Maoist-affected districts in central and eastern India to meet the developmental needs of poor tribals.

The allocation during the new financial year for the development of these tribal districts would be provided under the central government-sponsored Integrated Action Plan (IAP) that was launched last year.

The allocation for 2010-11 was Rs.25 crore for each of these districts.

The 60 districts belong to the states of Andhra Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, Orissa, West Bengal, Bihar and Uttar Pradesh.

“To address problems related to Left Wing extremism-affected districts, an integrated action plan for 60 selected tribal and backward districts has been launched in December 2010.

“The scheme is being implemented with 100 percent block grant of Rs.25 crore and Rs.30 crore per district during the years 2010-11 and 2011-12, respectively, Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee said Monday in his budget speech.

The allocated funds, according to the plan, are at the disposal of district level committees which, in consultation with local lawmakers, have the flexibility to spend the amount on development schemes as per local needs, the minister said.

The special development plan will be implemented over two years and envisages governance reforms and devolution of power to grassroots institutions. It is aimed at building roads, panchayat ghar, ration shops, Anganwadi centres and school buildings.

The scheme will be reviewed for implementation in the 12th Plan at a later stage, Mukherjee said.

The scheme, working on 100 percent grant basis, will focus on flagship programmes like job guarantee and midday meal schemes.