Border Development Programme Launched in 17 States
At a time when there are reports of repeated border violations by neighbouring countries, the Centre has initiated an ambitious frontier area development programme in 17 states which have land border with foreign countries, including China.
Reports said that the programme, called the Border Area Development Programme (BADP), has been launched early this fiscal in the border blocks through state governments.
“The objectives of BADP are to meet the special development needs of the people living in remote and inaccessible areas situated near the international border,” said a Home Ministry official.
In addition, the project aims to provide the border areas with basic essential infrastructure through a number of central and state government schemes or BADP and through participatory approach.
According to information, the guidelines of the BADP were revised in February after consultation with the state governments. As per these guidelines, the concerned state governments have to arrange for utilization of the BADP funds in only those villages falling in the border blocks which are situated “within 0-10 km” of the international border. Also, the villages located nearer to international border will get first priority.
Following successful completion of the project in these villages, the work would be started in the next set of villages located within 0-15 km and 0-20 km of the international border.
If the first village in a block is located at a faraway location from the international border, the first village or hamlet in the block may be taken as “0” km distance village for drawing the priority list.
The revised guidelines of the BADP have come into force with effect from 2009 10 for compliance by the state government concerned.
