India’s Border Line Efforts

There is often criticism about India not investing enough to build infrastructure in the border areas, particularly in the north-east. It has also been pointed out that China has, for instance, spent much more on the other side.

IndiaSpend’s Bhumish Khudkhudia looks at how the Indian’ government’s Border Area Development Programme (BADP), started during the 7^th Five-Year Plan in 1987, has benefited sensitive border districts situated near the international borders.

So far, Rs 7,000 crore has been released for socio-economic development of border areas under BADP. The programme is being implemented in 358 identified border blocks of 96 districts in 17 states that share international land border with neighbouring countries. Table 1 shows the state-wise number of blocks and districts covered under BADP.

Table 1: BADP coverage

(Source: Rajya Sabha)

Let us now look at the funds released and utilised by the states for the last three years.

Table 2: BADP Funds Released And Utilised

(Amount in Rs crore; * As on 31^st August, 2012)

Jammu & Kashmir has utilised Rs 308 crore during the last three financial years. However, the percentage of funds utilised has declined every year.

While West Bengal utilised Rs 176 crore, it is followed by Rajasthan with utilisation of Rs 171 crore. Rajasthan has not reported the utilisation of BADP funds in 2011-12.

So, where is the money being spent in the border areas? The top five sectors are roads, social sector, education, agriculture and security.

Table 3: Roads Top Spending List

(Amount in Rs crore)

Construction and strengthening of roads, culverts and bridges in the border districts amounted to Rs 1,140 crore in the last three years. So, nearly 58% of BADP funds has been utilised in the roads sector. West Bengal spent the highest amount of Rs 196 crore followed by Arunachal Pradesh and Jammu Kashmir with Rs 131 crore and 116 crore, respectively.

Jammu & Kashmir leads in terms of allocating funds (Rs. 47.45 crore) for developing the social sector followed by Rajasthan utilising Rs. 44.97 crore. In the North East, Arunachal Pradesh leads by utilising Rs. 24.80 crore. Projects taken up under the social sector are construction of community centres, anganwadis, rural sanitation blocks, community halls, skill upgradation of artisans and weavers and construction of common shelters for the elderly and/or physically challenged.

Rajasthan, which shares its border with Pakistan, utilised the highest amount of Rs 27.98 crore for strengthening its security. West Bengal, which shares its border with Bangladesh, utilised Rs. 20.53 crore. Overall, Rs. 149 crore has been spent on strengthening security of the border areas.

Given the difficult terrain and complex socio-economic situation along the borders, effective development of border areas is a challenging task. Equally, there is much scope to improve the levels of education, boosting agriculture and augmenting the security of the border areas.