MPs in Lok Sabha complain of corruption in border area development schemes

NEW DELHI: Cutting across party lines, Lok Sabha members today complained of rampant corruption in implementation of schemes under the Border Areas Development Programme (BADP).

As several members wanted to be part of the committee which disbursed BADP funds, Home Minister Rajnath Singh said Deputy Commissioners have been asked to consult the local MP and MLA.

Singh made it clear that certain funds from the Programme are spent on the recommendation of the armed forces as they have been authorised to flag sensitive areas which need special attention.

In his written reply, Minister of State for Home Kiren Rijiju said the BADP guidelines of 2009 envisage that state governments will develop an institutional system for inspection of projects under the programme and submit report to the Home Ministry.

He said as per new guidelines, each block should be assigned to a high-ranking state government official for monitoring.

Rijiju said the latest set of guidelines also make it mandatory for the state government officials to provide photographs of the scheme.

He said an appropriate social audit system is put in place by the state governments.