Development plan for Naxal-hit area extended to 4 more years

The government has decided to extend the Integrated Action Plan (IAP) for four more years with annual allocation of Rs 1,000 crore.

New Delhi: The government has decided to extend the Integrated Action Plan (IAP), a specially conceived development programme for worst Naxal-affected districts, for four more years with annual allocation of Rs 1,000 crore. According to the fresh proposal, each of the 82 IAP districts will be given Rs 5 crore annually while remaining Rs 590 crore will be distributed among the districts on the basis of their population and area. "Since it is a highly successful development programme, the government has decided to continue it for four more years," a government official said.

The funds under the scheme are placed at the disposal of a committee headed by district collector and consisting of the superintendent of police and the forest officer. The nine states under the plan are -- Andhra Pradesh, Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Odisha, Uttar Pradesh and West Bengal. The IAP is implemented under direct supervision of the Planning Commission in 82 selected tribal and backward districts for accelerated development. The aim of this initiative is to provide public infrastructure and services in Maoist-affected districts. Originally, a sum of Rs 25 crore and Rs 30 crore was released to 60 districts during the financial years 2010-11 and 2011-12 respectively. This scheme has now been extended to 22 more districts, taking the total coverage to 82 districts. The nature of major works or projects taken up by the districts under the IAP include construction of school buildings, anganwadi centres, drinking water facilities, rural roads, panchayats bhawan, community halls, livelihood activities, skill development, minor irrigation works, electric lighting, health centres, construction of toilets. Out of 100133 projects taken up by the states under the IAP, 69056 projects have been completed till January 8. Funds to the tune of Rs 4,177.65 crore were spent during 2010-13 under the IAP covering 82 districts. The cumulative releases towards IAF during 2010-13 were at Rs 6,090 crore. The development commissioner or equivalent officer in- charge of development in the state is responsible for scrutiny of expenditure and monitoring of the IAP in the state. Regular monitoring of the IAP is being carried out by the Member-Secretary, Planning Commission through video conferences with the district collectors/district magistrates and development commissioner of the states concerned. PTI