The Hindu : Andhra Pradesh News : Six more districts in State to get special development funds

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Andhra Pradesh

Andhra Pradesh

Six more districts in State to get special development funds

M. L. Melly Maitreyi

Naxalite-affected districts in the country to be eligible for Rs. 30 crore grant annually
State officials impress upon Centre to categorise 6 more districts as Naxalite-affected

HYDERABAD: The Centre has agreed to accord recognition for six more districts as ‘Left wing extremism-affected districts' and sanction special funding.

In addition to Khammam and Adilabad districts, Srikakulam, Vizianagaram, Visakhapatnam, East Godavari, Warangal and Karimnagar districts would now be eligible for Rs. 30 crore annually from this year under the Integrated Action Plan for Remote and Tribal Agency areas. Though the State government had been pursuing with the Union Cabinet Sub-Committee comprising Union Home Minister and others to recognise eight districts under the Naxalite-affected districts, the Centre, based on the recommendation of the Planning Commission, included only Khammam and later Adilabad among 60 such districts identified across the country.

At the Chief Secretaries' meeting convened by the Cabinet Secretary at New Delhi on Friday, State officials impressed upon the Centre for bringing six more districts also under the Naxalite-affected districts. Secretaries of Home, Transport and Rural Development Ministries, member secretary, Planning Commission attended the meeting.

Approval of works

The high-level committee overall approved 20 more districts (including six from the State) across the country under the category, taking the total number to 80, official sources said. The advantage of Integrated Action Plan for the LWE-affected districts was freedom to spend the funds on the development works like road, bridges, toilets, school buildings and other infrastructure facilities based on the needs of local people. The works would be approved by the District Collector, Superintendent of Police and the District Forest Officer.

The scheme would also extend exemptions for development works in these areas. For instance, there was no need for permission if the forest land diverted for a work was not more than five hectares. The Adilabad district benefited a lot under the scheme as it could address the needs of people by providing amenities speedily, sources said.

The Cabinet sub-committee also enhanced the fund for major infrastructure development and linking the border districts in the States affected by left wing extremism from Rs.1,607 crore to Rs.2,300 crore.

The Planning Commission gave its approval for the escalated cost and Andhra Pradesh, which proposed the scheme, was also asked to execute the programme for linking its border districts with those in Chhattisgarh, Orissa, Maharashtra and, Madhya Pradesh

Security monitoring

The construction of link roads and bridges to connect remote areas in the above neighbouring States would open up the interior areas for development, help people market their produce besides security monitoring through improved communication and logistics, sources added.

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