Lok Sabha Question No. 203 (STARRED), answered on 2021-03-09
Subject: Development Grants for Backward Districts in Andhra Pradesh
Ministry: RURAL DEVELOPMENT
Asked by: Goddeti Madhavi, Lavu Sri Krishna Devarayalu

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RURAL DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT OF RURAL DEVELOPMENT

## LOK  SABHA

## STARRED QUESTION NO. 203 ANSWERED ON 09.03.2021

## DEVELOPMENT GRANTS FOR BACKWARD DISTRICTS IN ANDHRA PRADESH

## *203.   SHRIMATI GODDETI MADHAVI: SHRI LAVU SRI KRISHNA DEVARAYALU:

Will the Minister of RURAL DEVELOPMENT be pleased to state:

- (a) the development grants released for the seven backward districts of Andhra Pradesh since 2014, yearwise;
- (b) whether there are any pending dues from the Central Government for the development assistance of backward districts of Andhra Pradesh recognized under the Andhra Pradesh Reorganization Act, 2014; and
- (c) if so, the details thereof along with the instructions issued by the Government for clearing these dues?

## ANSWER

MINISTER OF RURAL DEVELOPMENT (SHRI NARENDRA SINGH TOMAR)

(a) to (c) : A statement is laid on the table of the House.

## Statement  referred  to  in  the  reply  to  part  (a)  to  (c)  of  the  Lok  Sabha  Starred Question No. 203 for answer on 9.3.2021

(a): The  Andhra  Pradesh  Reorganization  Act  (APRA),  2014,  inter-alia,  provides  that  the Central  Government  may,  having  regard  to  the  resources  available  to  the  successor  State  of Andhra Pradesh, make appropriate grants and also ensure that adequate benefits and incentives in the form of special development packages are given to the backward areas of the State. The said Act further provides that the Central Government  shall, while considering the special development package for the successor State of Andhra Pradesh, provide adequate incentives, in particular  for  Rayalaseema  and  north  coastal  regions.  Accordingly,  seven  districts  namely, Anantapur, Chittoor, Cuddapah, Kurnool, Srikakulam, Vishakhapatnam and Viziayanagaram in Rayalaseema  and  north  coastal  region  of  Andhra  Pradesh  have  been  identified  for  grant  of special  development  package  and  a  development  grant  @  Rs.50  crore  per  district  per  year  is released.

The Union Government has so far released Rs.1400 crore to the State of Andhra Pradesh in this regard. The 1 st installment of Rs.350 crore was released on 18.02.2015, the 2 nd installment of Rs.350 crore was released on 23.11.2015, the 3 rd installment of Rs.350 crore was released on 30.01.2017 and the 4 th installment of Rs.350 crore was released on 31.03.2020.

(b)  &  (c):  The  releases  towards  development  of  7  backward  districts  of  the  State  under  the Andhra Pradesh Reorganisation Act, 2014 are based on recommendations of the NITI Aayog. NITI Aayog, in its report namely 'Report on Developmental Support to the Successor State of Andhra Pradesh  under  APRA,  2014'  dated  1 st December,  2015,  has,  inter-alia,  recommended '….  a  total  amount  of  Rs.2100  crore  for  the  seven  backward  districts  of  Andhra  Pradesh @Rs.300 crore per district.  This grant included Rs.700 crore released in FY 2014-15 and FY 2015-16'.    The  Union  Government  has  so  far  released  Rs.1400  crore  to  the  State  of  Andhra Pradesh  for  development  of  seven  backward  districts  of  the  State  under  the  Andhra  Pradesh Reorganisation Act, 2014 since, 2014. However, the Utilization Certificates of Rs.1049.34 crore only have been submitted by the State Government.

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