AP to receive Rs 348.28 crore annually from Centre

HYDERABAD: Andhra Pradesh is to receive Rs 348.28 crore annually towards the Backward Regions Grant Fund (BRGF). This includes Rs 335.26 crore is the development grant that goes to Panchayats and Rs 13 crore is for capacity building of Panchayats and Municipalities.

Union Minister for Panchayati Raj, Mani Shankar Aiyar informed Chief Minister Y S Rajasekhara Reddy in this regard and asked the latter to see that the requisite utilization certificates and progress reports are submitted immediately, a CM offiice release said.

Thel Union Minister said his ministry would release 90 per cent of the allocation against the plans for 2008-09 this month. Thel Chief Minister asked the Panchayatraj department to take the necessary action in this regad and efforts are on to convene the high powered committee for clearing of the BRGF proposals by the chief secretary soon.

The BRGF programme is implemented by the Panchayatraj ministry in 250 districts across the country. The BRGF is implemented in 13 districts in Andhra Pradesh. The Chief Minister wanted the department to take all necessary steps to get the grant expeditiously, release added.