Govt to issue fresh guidelines for development of border areas

The government has decided to issue fresh guidelines for proper implementation of Border Area Development Programme so as to fast track welfare in villages located near international border.
The decision was taken at a high-level meeting chaired by Home Minister Rajnath Singh and attended by top Home Ministry officials on Friday.
"The Home Ministry has reviewed various initiatives taken for the development of border areas. New guidelines for Border Area Development Programme (BADP) will be issued soon to make it more effective for physical and social infrastructure development in border areas," a Home Ministry official said.
The scheme has an outlay of Rs 990 crore during current fiscal and is fully funded by the central government.

Sources said primacy will be given for development of those villages which are located near the international boundary.
The main objective of the programme is to meet the special developmental needs of people living in remote and inaccessible areas situated near the international border and to saturate border areas with essential infrastructure through convergence of various schemes and participatory approach.

The programme was initiated in 1980s in western region, which at that point of time was the most volatile border.
The programme has been expanded since to cover the border blocks of 17 states (including eight northeastern states) which have international land borders with Pakistan, China, Nepal, Bhutan, Myanmar and Bangladesh.

The development of border areas is now viewed as a part of the comprehensive approach to the border management, which focuses on socio-economic development of the people and promotion of a secure environment in the border areas.
The programme is supplemental in nature to fill the gaps and the funds are provided to the states as a 100 per cent non-lapsable Special Central Assistance for execution of projects relating to infrastructure, livelihood, education, health, agriculture, and allied sectors to meet the special developmental needs of the people living in remote and inaccessible areas situated near the international border.
The programme is being implemented by Border Management Division of the Home Ministry through the state governments.

Guidelines of the programme are prepared by the Home Ministry in consultation with Planning Commission, Ministry of Finance and state governments concerned.