Villages within 10 km of International Border to be developed on priority

The ministries of home, rural development, sports, health and human resources have agreed to develop all villages located within a ten kilometer radius of the international border (IB) on a priority basis with emphasis on promotion of sports activities and rural tourism.

The home ministry has issued fresh guidelines saying that the Border Area Development Programme (BADP) has been extended to cover all villages in this radius.

According to an official release, funds under the BADP are provided to the states as a 100 per cent non-lapsable special central assistance.

The programme is supplemental in nature and the budget allocation for fiscal 2015-16 is Rs 990 crores.

The list of schemes permissible under BADP has been expanded to include schemes and activities relating to the Swatchhta Abhiyan, skill development programmes, promotion of sports activities in border areas, promotion of rural tourism or border tourism and protection of heritage sites.

Construction of helipads in remote and inaccessible hilly areas, which do not have road connectivity, skill development training to farmers for use of modern or scientific technique in farming, organic farming are some other areas to be given emphasis.

The BADP has been implemented in 367 border blocks of 104 border districts in 17 states. The main objective is to meet special developmental needs and well-being of the people living in remote and inaccessible areas situated near the international border and to saturate the border areas with essential infrastructure through convergence of central, state, BADP, local schemes and participatory approach.