` 400cr released for 10 ‘ border states’

The home ministry has released ` 400 crore to 10 states sharing a border with neighbouring countries to help resolve problems of residents living in remote parts close to the border. These are in addition to ` 1,100 crore given by Centre in financial year 2017- 18 to 17 such States for providing better infrastructure in villages in border areas.

As part of the Border Area Development Programme ( BADP) a total of ` 399.44 crore has been released to States including Jammu and Kashmir, Assam, Himachal Pradesh, Manipur, Arunachal Pradesh, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Sikkim and West Bengal.

As part of the Centre’s BADP plan 111 border districts in 17 States are covered for special development in areas close to the border with special focus on people living within 50 kilometres of the International Border. Under the scheme basic facilities which are covered include construction of primary health centres, schools, supply of drinking water, community centres, connectivity, drainage for better living in border areas. The BADP now also covers fresh initiatives of the Centre like skill development programmes, promotion of sports activities in border areas, protection of heritage sites and construction of helipads in remote and inaccessible hilly areas that do not have road connectivity.

Even skill development training for farmers to help use modern and scientific techniques in farming, organic farming have also now been included the BADP. As part of this scheme now 61 model villages are also being developed to help improve the quality of life for border population.

The Centre has released ` 13,400 crore ever since the BADP programme was started in nearly threedecades ago in 1986- 87. India shares borders with Pakistan of 3,323 km, China 3,488 km, Nepal 1,751 km, Bhutan 699 km, Myanmar 1,643 km and Bangladesh 4,096 km.