Executive Summary:
The Ministry of Panchayati Raj implemented the Backward Regions Grant Fund (BRGF) Programme from 2006-07 to 2014-15 in 272 districts across 28 states. Approximately ₹27,638.11 crore was released to these states and districts during this period. The program was delinked from Central Government budgetary support from the financial year 2015-16, following the implementation of the Fourteenth Finance Commission's recommendations.
Key Points / Main Content:
* **BRGF Programme Implementation:**
* Implemented from 2006-07 to 2014-15.
* Covered 272 districts in 28 states.
* A state-wise list of districts covered is in Annexure I.
* **Funding and Objectives:**
* Approximately ₹27,638.11 crore released to states and districts.
* A state-wise breakdown of funds released is in Annexure II.
* Funds aimed to address critical gaps in local development and strengthen the capacity of elected representatives of Panchayati Raj Institutions.
* **Delinking from Central Support:**
* Delinked from Central Government budgetary support from FY 2015-16.
* Occurred after the implementation of the Fourteenth Finance Commission’s recommendations.
* States' share in Union taxes increased from 32% to 42%, enhancing fiscal autonomy.
Impact Analysis:
* **States:**
* Impact: Received grants to address developmental gaps in backward regions until FY 2014-15, then given greater fiscal autonomy through increased share in Union taxes.
* Action Required: Design and finance development schemes for backward regions using increased fiscal autonomy.
* **Districts:**
* Impact: Received funds to address local development needs until FY 2014-15.
* Action Required: Utilize funds effectively to address developmental gaps and strengthen local governance.
* **Panchayati Raj Institutions:**
* Impact: Benefitted from capacity building initiatives and funds aimed at strengthening local governance.
* Action Required: Continue to strengthen local governance and utilize resources effectively for local development.
Key Entities Referenced
Backward Regions Grant Fund: A programme implemented by the Ministry of Panchayati Raj from 2006-07 to 2014-15 aimed at addressing critical gaps in local development and strengthening the capacity of elected representatives of Panchayati Raj Institutions in backward regions.
Ministry of Panchayati Raj: The government ministry responsible for implementing the Backward Regions Grant Fund (BRGF) programme.
Fourteenth Finance Commission: The Finance Commission whose recommendations led to the delinking of the BRGF Programme from Central Government budgetary support from the financial year 2015-16.
Andhra Pradesh: One of the states covered under the BRGF Programme, with 4 districts included in the program.
Bihar: One of the states covered under the BRGF Programme, with 38 districts included in the program.
Uttar Pradesh: One of the states covered under the BRGF Programme, with 35 districts included in the program.
West Bengal: One of the states covered under the BRGF Programme, with 11 districts included in the program.
Telangana: One of the states covered under the BRGF Programme, with 9 districts included in the program.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRYOF PANCHAYATI RAJ
LOK SABHA
UNSTARREDQUESTION NO.3691
ANSWEREDON 12.08.2025
BACKWARDREGION GRANT FUND
3691.SMT.MALAROY:
Will the Minister of PANCHAYATIRAJ be pleased to state:
(a) the details and the total number of districts that were selected for Backward Regions
Grant Fund(BRGF) inthe country, State-wise;
(b) the detailsof funds approvedinthisregard,State-wise; and
(c) the detailsof the fund thathasbeen releasedason 15.07.2025,State-wise?
ANSWER
THE MINISTER OF STATE FORPANCHAYATIRAJ
(PROF.S.P.SINGH BAGHEL)
(a) The Ministry of Panchayati Raj was implementing the Backward Regions Grant Fund
(BRGF) Programme (District component) during the year2006-07 to2014-15 in 272districts
of 28 States of the country. The State-wise numberof these Districts isenclosed at Annexure
-I.
(b) & (c) During the implementation period of the BRGF Programme, grants amounting to
approximately ₹27,638.11 crore were released to the States and Districts covered under the
scheme. These funds were aimed at addressing critical gaps in local development and
strengthening the capacity of elected representatives of Panchayati Raj Institutions. State-
wise detailsof funds releasedunderthe BRGF Programmeare enclosedat Annexure-II.
The BRGF Programme was delinked from Central Government budgetary support
from the financial year 2015–16, following the implementation of the Fourteenth Finance
Commission’s recommendations. Under these recommendations, the States’ share in the net
proceeds of Union taxes was significantly increased from 32% to 42%, thereby providing
them with enhanced fiscal autonomy to design and finance development schemes,
particularlyfor backwardregions.
***
1Annexure-I
Annexure referred to inreply to part(a) of Lok SabhaUnstarred QuestionNo.
3691Answered on12.08.2025
State-wise list of 272Districts Covered UnderBRGFProgramme
Sl.No. State No. of BRGFDistricts
1 Andhra Pradesh 4
2 Arunachal Pradesh 1
3 Assam 13
4 Bihar 38
5 Chhattisgarh 15
6 Gujarat 6
7 Haryana 2
8 HimachalPradesh 2
9 Jammu & Kashmir 5
10 Jharkhand 23
11 Karnataka 6
12 Kerala 2
13 Madhya Pradesh 30
14 Maharashtra 12
15 Manipur 3
16 Meghalaya 3
17 Mizoram 2
18 Nagaland 5
19 Odisha 20
20 Punjab 1
21 Rajasthan 13
22 Sikkim 1
23 Tamil Nadu 6
24 Telangana 9
25 Tripura 1
26 Uttar Pradesh 35
27 Uttarakhand 3
28 West Bengal 11
Total 272
2Annexure-II
Annexurereferred to inreply to part(b)&(c)of Lok Sabha UnstarredQuestionNo.
3691Answered on12.08.2025
State-wise fundsReleased undertheBRGFProgrammeduring2006-07 to 2014-15
(Rs. incrores)
Sl.No. State Fundsreleased
1 Andhra Pradesh 831.45
2 Arunachal Pradesh 78.97
3 Assam 736.13
4 Bihar 3828.43
5 Chhattisgarh 1837.85
6 Gujarat 479.73
7 Haryana 200.47
8 HimachalPradesh 207.76
9 Jammu & Kashmir 225.16
10 Jharkhand 1526.37
11 Karnataka 633.53
12 Kerala 163.27
13 Madhya Pradesh 2995.59
14 Maharashtra 1562.30
15 Manipur 262.22
16 Meghalaya 206.58
17 Mizoram 165.20
18 Nagaland 301.56
19 Odisha 2149.42
20 Punjab 76.70
21 Rajasthan 1761.57
22 Sikkim 87.55
23 Tamil Nadu 632.53
24 Telangana 1607.02
25 Tripura 86.70
26 Uttar Pradesh 3187.07
27 Uttarakhand 148.66
28 West Bengal 1658.33
Total 27638.11
***
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