(News) Centre doles out special treatment to Bundelkhand

Centre doles out special treatment to Bundelkhand

Politically charged Bundelkhand — the backward region which has been turned into a battlefield between UP CM Mayawati and Congress general secretary Rahul Gandhi — will be granted special category status, meaning Centre will meet 90% of the cost of irrigation projects for the drought-hit region.

Sources said a high-level committee headed by Planning Commission secretary Sudha Pillai has approved the proposal to grant special category status at par with drought-prone areas, implying that districts in the region will get 90% grant assistance from Centre under Accelerated Irrigation Benefit Programme (AIBP).

With the adoption of 14 districts of UP and MP under AIBP, the move will help in mitigating water scarcity in the water-scarce region which is wholly dependent on monsoon because of a poor irrigation network. With the fresh move, Bundelkhand region will be treated at par with areas covered under Drought Prone Area Programme which will ensure 90% central funding for irrigation projects and rejuvenation of water bodies.

“While states normally have to bear 75% project cost, special category status areas bear only 10% cost,” said a senior official, adding that currently, drought-prone pockets of Orissa, hilly states, north-eastern states and J&K were among beneficiaries under the scheme. Read more..
Source: http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Centre-doles-out-special-treatment-to-Bundelkhand/articleshow/5526011.cms