New Delhi: The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) in India has given a go ahead to the Rs 3,780 crore development programme for 90 minority concentration districts in the country.

The centrally sponsored ‘Multi-sectoral Development Programme' is a part of the 15-point package for minority development conceived by the Prime Minister's Office (PMO) and promoted by the newly constituted Minority Affairs Ministry.

Under the programme, 100 per cent central assistance would be provided during the Eleventh Five Year Plan for improving socio-economic parameters and basic amenities of the people in these districts.

It would also include absolutely critical infrastructure linkages like connecting roads, basic health infrastructure, Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) centres, skill development.

Besides, marketing facilities required for improving living conditions and economic opportunities and catalysing the growth process would also be eligible for inclusion in the plan.

According to the government spokesperson, the programme will mainly focus on rural and semi-rural areas of the identified 90 minority concentration districts and will be implemented by the Panchayati Raj institutions, scheduled area councils and other such local representative bodies.

Financial assistance would made available to these districts to address the ‘development deficits' that were either not met fully by existing schemes and programmes or catered to by any scheme and programme of the state or central government.

However, the fund for the programme will be released only to those states and Union Territories (UTs) committing to constituting a state and district level committee for implementation of the Prime Minister's 15-point programme for the welfare of minorities.

Besides, the states and UTs would also need to notify a department with clear responsibility to deal with schemes and set up IT-enabled cell to look after the implementation, monitoring, reporting and evaluation of the programme.

While the government has earmarked Rs 120 core for the scheme during fiscal 2007-08, it plans to spend Rs 800 crore in 2008-09.

The government has also decided that identified ‘development deficits' would be made up through a district specific plan for provision of better infrastructure for education, sanitation, pucca housing, drinking water and electricity supply, besides beneficiary oriented schemes for creating income generating opportunities.

The CCEA also envisaged putting in place a suitable monitoring system, where an independent in-depth evaluation would be made after two years to assess the need for any mid-term correction.
—iGovernment Bureau