Border Area Development Programme (BADP): Revised Guidelines (February,2009)

1.Objective :
The main objective of the BADP is to meet the special developmental needs of the people living in remote an inaccessible areas situated near the international border and to saturate the border areas with the entire essential infrastructure through convergence of Central/State/ BADP/ Local schemes and participatory approach.

2.Coverage:
2.1 The BADP will continue to be a 100% centrally funded programme. The BADP would cover 362 border blocks, which are located along the international border and come under 96 border districts of 17 States viz Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Bihar, Gujrat, Himachal Pradesh, Jammu & Kashmir, Manipur, Meghallaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Punjub, Rajasthan, Sikkim, Tripura, Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand and West Bengal. Funds will be allocated to the States on the basis of (i) length of international border (ii) population of border blocks and (iii) area of border blocks with these criteria having equal weightage. Besides, 15% weightage will be given to hilly, desert and Ram of Kutchh areas on account of difficult terrain, scarcity of resources, higher cost of construction etc.

2.2 The border block will be the spatial unit within which the State Government shall arrange to utilize the BADP funds only in those villages of the blocks, which are located ‘within 0-10’ km from the international border. Those villages, which are located nearer to the international border will get first priority. After saturating these villages with basic infrastructure, the next set of villages located within 0-15 km and 0-20 km need to be taken up. If the first village in a block is located at a far away location from the international border, the first village/hamlet in the block may be taken as “0” km distance village for drawing the priority list.

3. Guideline principles :
3.1 BADP funds shall ordinarily be used for meeting the critical gaps and to meet the immediate needs of the border population. Planning and implementation of BADP schemes should be on participatory and decentralized basis through the Panchayati Raj Institutions/Autonomous Councils/Other Local Bodies/ Councils.

3.2 The State Governments may consider creating/ nominating a Nodal Department/Cell with in the existing administrative arrangement for implementation of the Border Area Development Programme (BADP). The Nodal Department dealing with the BADP in the State shall hold individual meetings with line departments of the States such as Power, Rural Development, Electricity, Roads & Buildings, Water Supply, Social Welfare, Public Distribution, Civil Supplies etc. in order to ensure the implementation of the respective State/Central schemes in the identified border blocks. Utilization of funds under the Centrally Sponsored Schemes/ Flagship Schemes of Govt. of India and the State plan schemes to the maximum possible extent in the border blocks should be ensured. To avail funs under the various Centrally Sponsored Scheme/ flagship programmes of Government of India and for relaxation in guidelines, if any, the State Departments concerned may forward suitable proposals to the Ministries/Departments of Government of India concerned with a copy thereof to the Department of Border Management, MHA for information.

3.3 A baseline survey shall be carried out in border villages in order to assess the gaps in basic physical and social infrastructure. Preparation of a village-wise plan shall be ensured duly indicating the projects/ funding through State Plan Schemes / the Centrally Sponsored Schemes(CSS)/ Flagship Schemes of Government of India and the BADP, such a plan shall also ensure the convergence of various Central/ State schemes with the Border Area Development Programme(BADP).

4. Selection of schemes :
4.1 An illustrative list of schemes, which can be taken up BADP. is at Annexure-I, A List of schemes not permissible under BADP is at Annexure-II. Schemes can also be suggested by Border Guarding Forces ( BGFs) concerned and expenditure on the same shall not exceed 10% of the annual allocation made to the State. A list of permissible and non-permissible security related schemes is at Annexure-III.
4.2 State Governments, may keep a provision not exceeding 15% of the allocation made to the State for the maintenance of assets created under the BADP subject to the condition that such expenditure can be made only after three(3) years from the date of issue of completion certificate in respect of the asset. The State Government can reserve 1.5% (one and half percent) of the allocation made to the State subject to a maximum of Rs. 40 lakh for the purpose of monitoring, training of staff at block level and for the evaluation of the BADP, administrative expenditure for preparing the perspective plans, if any, survey, logistic support ( excluding purchase of vehicles), media publicity etc. The process of completion of formalities, if any, such as forest, environment an other local clearances, availability of land etc. should be planned in advance, while recommending various projects under the BADP.

5. Empowered Committee:
The policy matters such as the guidelines of BADP, the geographical areas within which the BADP is implemented, allocation of funds, modalities of execution of schemes etc. will be lalid down by an Empowered Committee constituted under the Chairmanship of the Secretary ( Border Management) in the Ministry of Home Affairs. The Composition and functions of the Empowered Committee is a Annexure-IV(a).

6. State Level Screening Committee :
6.1 Subject to such general / special directions as may be given by the Empowered Committee, schemes for each State will be approved by a State Level Screening Committee chaired by the Chief Secretary of the State. The Composition and functions of the State Level Screening Committee (SLSC) is at Annexure-IV(b). The respective Border Guarding Force(BGF) shall nominate State-wise nodal officers for co-ordination with the States and such nodal officers shall be invited for the State Level Screening Committee meetings. The State Government will furnish the Annual Action Plan of BADP as approved by the State Level Screening Committee (SLSC) the Ministry of Home Affairs, Department of Border Management, Government of India, latest by the month of May every year as in the proforma given at Annexure-V, Annexure-V(a) and Annexure-V(b).

7. Flexibility in execution of programme :
7.1 In addition to the PRIs, Autonomous Councils; other Local Bodies & Village Authorities/Councils, engaging of local communities, voluntary agencies comprising of local NGOs/ Self Help Groups which are not receiving foreign aid/ assistance may be engaged for executing schemes.

7.2 Involvement of non-Governmental organization to give contractual assignments. Out sourcing the services may be considered where the State Government / agencies hae manpower constraints etc. Such measures can be adopted by the State Level Screening Committees under intimation to the Ministry of Home Affairs. The State Government may also consider forging of partnership between the government and the community having a joint stake in the services, wherever possible, communities may be involved in sharing of 10& to 15% of the cost of social infrastructure. as far as possible. Project not exceeding Rs. 5.00 lakh should strictly be implemented through local bodies such as village committees/ panchayats only. However, the respective Local./State Financial Rules in vogue will continue to be applicable for the implementation of BADP.

8. Funds flow :
8.1 Before the commencement of the financial year, the Department of Border Management in the Ministry of Home Affairs would convey the quantum of funds allocated to the States during the next year under the BADP. The Annual Action Plan consisting of schemes, duly approved by State Level Screening Committee (SLSC) hae to be forwarded to the Department of Border Management, Ministry of Home Affairs as in the proforma at Annexure-V for release of funds.

8.2 Funds will be released to State in two installments. Funding