'Backward Regions Grand Fund' for development of backward districts

Bangalore, Sep 4 (UNI) The Union government has launched 'Backward Regions Grant Fund'(BRGF) for development of the backward districts in the country, Union Minister for Panchayath Raj Mani Shankar Aiyar said today.

Talking to newsmen after addressing a Convention of elected women representatives of Panchayat Raj Institutions in Karnataka, he said that Rs 10 Crores to Rs 15 Crores would be provided to the identified backward districts to take up developmental works. In Karnataka, Bidar, Gulbarga, Davangere, Raichur and Chitradurga Districts have been selected.

He said the funds, to be released on the basis of sophisticated plans prepared at the Panchayat level, would be released directly to the Panchayats with full freedom to spend the amount.

Mr Aiyar said the funds for those State Governments, which have already sent the district plans, would be released on October 2 to mark the Gandhi Jayanti. For other States, which have not submitted the plan, December 31 would be the deadline.

He urged the State government to take capacity building and training of the elected representatives at the grass root level as funds to such schemes would be provided directly to Panchayats.

Mr Aiyar expressed unhappiness over the Karnataka government's move to vest more powers in MLAs at the Panchayat level. ''I held a detailed discussion with Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy today to discuss mainly three things -- Drinking water schemes, rural roads and Anganawadi workers problems. The State government's proposal was a matter of concern. However, we do not want to widen the gap between the Legislators and the Panchayats but bridge it. I have requested the Chief Minister to consider alternative ways through which MLAs could look after their constituencies and he (Chief Minister) has agreed to consider this,'' he added.

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