With just 16.57 per cent of the total allocation under the special Bundelkhand package spent so far in Uttar Pradesh and 21.70 per cent in Madhya Pradesh over two years, the Planning Commission is all set to extend the package.

“We have discussed this matter informally. In principle, the Planning Commission has agreed. It is now a matter of procedure since most of the fund is still to be utilised under the package,” said J S Samra, the CEO of National Rainfed Area Authority (NRAA).

The NRAA is the nodal agency created under the Planning Commission to release the funds under the Bundelkhand package.

According to the NRAA reply to an RTI application by this correspondent, till November 30, 2011, it released Rs 860.973 crore to UP out of a total allocation of Rs 3,606 crore. “But it spent only Rs 280.99 crore. While we have released Rs 1,129.92 crore to MP out of a total allocation of Rs 3,860 crore, it spent only Rs 424.4 crore.”

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Courtesy: indianexpress.com