Centre to launch backward region grants fund scheme : Aiyer

Hyderabad, May 14 (UNI) Union Minister for Panchayatraj Mani Shankar Aiyer today announced the Centre would launch ''backward region grants fund'scheme, with an allocation of Rs 5000 crore, for developing the backward panchayats in the country at the earliest.

Speaking at a plenary session, organised by the Andhra Pradesh Congress Committee (APCC), on the occasion of completion of two year Congress Government here, Mr Aiyer said the proposed scheme would be implemented in backward panchayats and naxal-infested villages.

The Government would take initial steps to identify the backward villages by next week in the country, he added.

Stating that this new scheme would promote development in the villages by involving the people's representatives and people directly, the minister said the money would reach to the panchayats without any intervention of the officials concerned.

The new scheme would pave the way to root out naxal menace in the states facing law and order problem for several years, he added.

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