Govt launches border development programme in 17 states

New Delhi, Sept 20 (PTI) Amid reports of repeated border
violations by neighbouring countries, the Indian government
has launched an ambitious frontier area development programme
in 17 states having land border with foreign nations,
including China.

The Border Area Development Programme (BADP) has been
launched early this fiscal in the border blocks through the
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," a
Home Ministry official said.

The project also aims at saturating the border areas with
basic essential infrastructure through the convergence of
Central or State governments schemes or BADP and through
participatory approach.

The guidelines of the BADP have been revised in February
in consultation with the state governments. As per the revised
guidelines, the state governments concerned will arrange the
utilisation of the BADP funds only in those villages of the
border blocks which are located "within 0-10 km" of the
international border. (More) PTI