Centre releases additional Rs 450 cr special assistance to Telangana

New Delhi: The Centre has provided additional Rs 450 crore as special assistance to Telangana for the development of the backward areas in the state, with a cumulative assistance of Rs 900 crore so far, an official said on Tuesday.

"In keeping with its commitments to support the development of backward areas of Telangana, the central government has provided a further special assistance of Rs 450 crore to the state for 2016-17," the Finance Ministry said in a statement here.

The Centre had earlier released another Rs 450 crore during 2015-16 for the development of nine backward districts of Telangana -- Adilabad, Nizamabad, Karimnagar, Warangal, Medak, Mahbubnagar, Rangareddy, Nalgonda and Khammam.

"Cumulatively, the central government has so far released Rs 900 crore to the state for this purpose," the statement said.

The Andhra Pradesh Reorganisation Act, 2014, entrusts the central government with supporting the programmes for the development of backward areas in the successor states, including expansion of physical and social infrastructure. 

These additional resources from the Centre would enable Telangana to devise and implement schemes best suited for mitigation of backwardness and alleviation of poverty.

"The developmental activities would improve the physical and social infrastructure bringing these districts at par with the more developed districts of the state," it added.