BUNDELKHAND PACKAGE

BACKGROUND : Bundelkhand region is located between 23°20' and 26°20' N latitude and 78°20' and 81°40'E longitude. Administratively the region comprises of thirteen districts - seven districts of Uttar Pradesh viz., Jhansi, Jalaun, Lalitpur, Hamirpur, Mahoba, Banda and Chitrakut and six districts of Madhya Pradesh viz., Datia, Tikamgarh, Chattarpur, Damoh, Sagar and Panna.

The Bundelkhand region is complex, diverse, rainfed, risky, under-invested, vulnerable, socio-economically heterogeneous, ethnically unique, agrarian and backward relative to other regions. It is a hard rock area with limited or inadequate ground water resources, lacks infrastructure, access to improved technologies, markets and inputs with low productivity.

AGRICULTURE: Bundelkhand is predominantly an agrarian economy; over 80% of population is dependent on agriculture, livestock, usufructs from forest and outsourcing income by seasonal migration after Rabi sowing.

Farming system of crops and livestock is the main occupation whereas out sourcing livelihood by seasonal migration minimizes risks and vulnerability.

DROUGHT: Historically Bundelkhand region of UP and MP used to have one drought in 16 years in 18^th and 19^th centuries which increased by three times during the period 1968 to 1992 and the past four years have witnessed continuous drought. Increased frequency of drought occurrences due to climatic changes, degradation of forest, ground water etc. have been witnessed. Rainfall in the range of 768 to 1087 mm, black, red, mixed and alluvial soils, sufficient surface run off, net work of rivers, streams, forests, animals and social capital are the opportunities for a sustained development process.

MITIGATION: Mitigation by devising robust and resilient systems of livelihood and enterprising can provide reasonable solutions to the distress. Mitigation aiming interventions during the normal or above normal rainfall years is entirely different than the calamity relief.

Bundelkhand Vikas Nidhi

In 1990-91 the UP state government established a 'Bundelkhand Vikas Nidhi', along with a 'Poorvanchal Vikas Nidhi', to provide additional funds for the development of districts belonging to these regions.

The Nidhi funds infrastructural projects like roads, minor bridges, drinking water schemes, schools, and power sub-stations that could not be built from state or district plans, for whatever reason. The projects have to be such that they can be completed within two years. Priority is given to projects that will benefit two or more districts. Half the amount of the fund is sanctioned at the district level; the other half is sanctioned at the state level.

In 2005-06, Rs 50 crore was sanctioned for the Bundelkhand Vikas Nidhi. In 2005-06 the state government also announced a 'Bundelkhand Development Package' with budgetary provision of Rs 100 crore.

MP Bundelkhand Development Authority

In April 2007, the Madhya Pradesh state cabinet sanctioned creation of a Bundelkhand Development Authority, for the benefit of Sagar, Tikamgarh, Chhatarpur, Damoh, Panna and Datia districts.

The chairman of the Authority is nominated by the government, and the Deputy Commissioner, Development, posted in the office of the Divisional Commissioner at Sagar will be its Chief Executive Officer. Members of Parliament and one-third of MLAs from the districts covered would be members of the Authority by rotation.