Government releases Rs. 400 crore for development of border states
What's the story
Nearly Rs. 400 crore has been released by the Center to 10 states having international borders as part of an ambitious plan to ameliorate the problems of those living in these isolated locations, officials said on Monday. The funds released were in addition to Rs. 1,100 crore released in 2017-18 for the development of villages located along the international borders in 17 states.
Border states
Government will improve sustainable living under BADP
An amount of Rs. 399.44 crore has been released to the governments of Jammu and Kashmir, Assam, Himachal Pradesh, Manipur, Arunachal Pradesh, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Sikkim and West Bengal under the Border Area Development Programme (BADP) so far during 2018-19, a Home Ministry official said. The BADP schemes include construction of health centers, schools, connectivity, drainage etc. to enable sustainable living in border areas.
BADP
BADP covers 111 border districts in 17 states
The BADP covers 111 border districts in 17 states to meet special development needs of border population with a focus on the people living within 50 kilometers of the International Border. It now covers schemes or promotes activities relating to Swachhta Abhiyan, skill development, sports, rural tourism, border tourism, construction of helipads in remote and inaccessible hilly areas, which do not have road connectivity.
Model villages
Rs. 13,400 crore has been released for BADP since 1986
A total of Rs. 13,400 crore has been released since the BADP programme was initiated in 1986-87. India shares borders with Pakistan (3,323 km), China (3,488 km), Nepal (1,751 km), Bhutan (699 km), Myanmar (1,643 km), and Bangladesh (4,096 km). As many as 61 model villages are also being developed under the BADP to improve the quality of life for the border population.