Home Ministry releases Rs. 113 crore to six border states under Border Area Development Programme

Union Home Ministry has released more than Rs. 113 crore to six border states under Border Area Development Programme (BADP) as part of its plan to ameliorate the problems of people living in isolated locations. These six states are Assam, Nagaland, Sikkim, Gujarat, Rajasthan and Uttarakhand.

Key Facts

Till now, Home Ministry has released total of Rs. 637.98 crore during 2018-19 period to states having International Border. The funds released are in addition to the Rs. 1,100-crore released in 2017-18 for the all-round development of villages located along International Border in 17 states. India shares land border with seven neighbouring countries viz. Bangladesh (4,096 km), China (3,488 km), Pakistan (3,323 km), Nepal (1,751 km), Myanmar (1,643 km), Bhutan (699 km)  and Afghanistan (106km in Pakistan Occupied Kashmir).

Border Area Development Programme (BADP)

The umbrella BADP scheme is being implemented by Union Home Ministry in 367 border blocks of 104 border districts in 17 states. Its objective is to meet special developmental needs and well-being of people living in remote and inaccessible areas situated near international border areas. It also seeks to saturate border areas with entire essential infrastructure through convergence of Union, state, BADP, local schemes and participatory approach.
Sub-schemes under it include construction of primary health centres (PHCs), connectivity, schools, supply of drinking water, community centres, drainage to enable sustainable living in border areas. It also covers schemes or activities relating to skill development programmes, promotion of sports activities in border areas, promotion of rural tourism, border tourism, protection of heritage sites, Swachhta Abhiyan, construction of helipads in remote and inaccessible hilly areas, which do not have road connectivity.
Skill development training to farmers for use of modern and scientific techniques in agriculture, organic farming is also part of BADP now. As many as 61 model villages are being developed under BADP to improve the quality of life for people living near border areas. A total of Rs 13,400 crore so far have been released since BADP programme was initiated in 1986-87.

Month: Current Affairs - November, 2018