Lok Sabha Question No. 273 (STARRED), answered on 2015-08-07
Subject: Bundelkhand Package
Ministry: PLANNING
Asked by: BHAIRON PRASAD MISHRA

**GOVERNMENT OF INDIA**

**MINISTRY OF PLANNING**

**LOK SABHA**

**STARRED QUESTION NO. *273**

**TO BE ANSWERED ON 07.08.2015**

**BUNDELKHAND PACKAGE**

***273. SHRI BHAIRON PRASAD MISHRA**

Will the Minister of  Planning be pleased to state:

1. the details of the schemes/projects implemented by the Government under the special 	package for the Bundelkhand Region;
2. the funds allocated, released and utilized for the region during each of the last three 	years, scheme/project wise;
3. whether the Government has evaluated the impact of the special package for the 	development of Bundelkhand region and if so, the details and the outcome thereof;
4. whether the Government has received complaints of irregularities/misuse of funds, if so, 	the details thereof including the number of such complaints received during the said 	period along with action taken thereon, and;
5. the mechanism put in place by the Government to check irregularities and monitor 	effective utilisation of special package for the development of  Bundelkhand region?

### ANSWER

MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) FOR MINISTRY OF  PLANNING AND MINISTER OF STATE FOR DEFENCE

(RAO INDERJIT SINGH)

1. to (e):  A Statement is laid on the Table of the House.

**STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PARTS (a) TO (e) OF LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. *273 REGARDING BUNDELKHAND PACKAGE RAISED BY SHRI BHAIRON PRASAD MISHRA FOR ANSWER ON 7.8.2015**

1. In view of the consecutive deficient rainfall in Bundelkhand Region since 2004, an Inter-Ministerial Central Team IMCT was constituted by the Department of Agriculture and Cooperation in 2008 to assess the situation and recommend measures to mitigate the effects of frequent droughts and agricultural development of the region. IMCT submitted its report in April 2008. Based on the report of the IMCT, the Cabinet approved a Special Package on 19.11.2009 for implementing Drought Mitigation Strategies in Bundelkhand region at a cost of Rs. 7266 crore comprising of Rs.3506 crores for Uttar Pradesh and Rs. 3760 crores for Madhya Pradesh to be implemented over a period of 3 years from 2009-10 to 2011-12. The Government further approved, on 19 th May 2011, an additional amount of Rs. 200 crore (Rs.100 crore each for Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh) to provide drinking water in Bundelkhand region. The package was extended during 12 th Plan under the Backward Region Grant Fund (BRGF). Since 2015-16, the BRGF including Bundelkhand Package has been delinked from Central Funding.

1. The total releases under Bundelkhand package were Rs. 4015.20 crore to both the States since its inception in 2009. It includes Rs. 1845.83 crore to Uttar Pradesh and Rs. 2169.37 crore to Madhya Pradesh. During last three years (2012-13 to 2014-2015), Rs. 840.32 crore to UP and Rs. 743.74 crore to MP  were released as given below:
| **States**   |   **Release 20012-13** |   **Release 2013-14** |   **Release 2014-15** |   **Total Released** |
|--------------|------------------------|-----------------------|-----------------------|----------------------|
| U.P.         |                 207.04 |                250.17 |                383.11 |               840.32 |
| M.P.         |                 455.23 |                288.51 |                  0.00 |               743.74 |
| Total        |                 662.27 |                538.68 |                383.11 |              1584.06 |

1. The impact evaluation study was conducted by the NABARD Consultancy Services (NABCONS).  The study revealed that achievements in irrigation area ranged from 61% in UP to 88% in M.P.   The productivity of crops increased up to 83% in rainy season crops and up to 42% in winter crops. The income has also increased by 34.6% in 2012-13 over that of 2009-10 due to increase in crop productivity.

1. The State Governments reported irregularities under Bundelkhand package. Administrative action was also taken against 17 Officers/employees in Uttar Pradesh and 31 Officers/employees in Madhya Pradesh.

1. A very strong mechanism of implementation and monitoring was put in place. At apex level, the Advisory Committee under the Chairmanship of the then Deputy Chairman, Planning Commission with all Members of Parliament (Lok Sabha) from Bundelkhand as its Members was in place. The Monitoring Committee under the Co- chairmanship of erstwhile Planning Commission’s Member–in–charge of UP and MP; empowered Committee under the chairmanship of Secretary, erstwhile Planning Commission; and Standing Committee headed by respective State Plan Advisers of erstwhile Planning Commission were constituted to review the progress and achievements of the projects implemented under the package. Besides, National Rainfed Area Authority (NRAA) was entrusted to monitor the progress periodically through field visits.