Parliament Question: Special Assistance to Kandi and Border Areas of Punjab

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF HOME AFFAIRS LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2848 TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 10TH MARCH, 2026/ PHALGUNA 19, 1947 (SAKA) SPECIAL ASSISTANCE TO KANDI AND BORDER AREAS OF PUNJAB 2848. DR. RAJ KUMAR CHABBEWAL: Will the Minister of HOME AFFAIRS be pleased to state: (a) whether the Government is aware that the Kandi and border areas of Punjab face similar geographical disadvantages to Jammu & Kashmir and North-Eastern States, including difficult terrain, lack of irrigation facilities, frequent security concerns due to international border proximity, backwardness in infrastructure and employment opportunities and if so, the details thereof; (b) whether the Government has received any representation from the Government of Punjab or public representatives seeking special category status or a special development package for the Kandi and border belt of Punjab on the lines of assistance extended to Jammu & Kashmir and North- Eastern States; (c) if so, the details thereof along with the action taken thereon; (d) whether the Government proposes to introduce a dedicated Central package, special industrial incentives, enhanced border area development funds, and infrastructure projects for the Kandi and border areas of Punjab; and (e) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor? ANSWER MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HOME AFFAIRS (SHRI NITYANAND RAI) (a) to (e): Under Border Area Development Programme 2355 works of estimated cost Rs. 230.9 crore have been completed in the State of Punjab.-2- L.S.US.Q.NO. 2848 FOR 10.03.2026 Rs.189.06 crore have been released to State Govt. of Punjab since the FY 2014-15 under BADP. Further, BADP is in its sunset phase and no new projects are being approved under the programme. Central Government has approved the Vibrant Villages Programme-II (VVP-II), as a Central Sector Scheme, with a total outlay of ₹6839 crores till the Financial Year 2028-29 for comprehensive development of identified villages located in blocks abutting international land borders (ILBs), other than the Northern Border already covered under VVP-I, in the States/UTs of Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Bihar, Gujarat, J&K, Ladakh, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Punjab, Rajasthan, Sikkim, Trupura, Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh and West Bengal. Further, no representation has been received regarding seeking special category status or a special development package for Kandi and border belt of Punjab on the lines of assistance extended to Jammu & Kashmir and North Eastern States. *****