NEW DELHI - The Government’s Ministry of Minority Affairs has sanctioned rupees 100 crore for nine districts in various States to speed up implementation of multi-sectoral development plans in areas where minorities are in sizeable number.

The Ministry has listed 25 Minority Concentrated Districts (MCDs) out of a total of 90 to implement the project under its 100-day work plan.

“The multi-sectoral development plans have been approved for nine districts so far and Rs 100 crore have been allocated for the purpose,” said sources in the ministry.

Of the nine districts, six are in Assam, one in Karnataka and two in Uttarakhand.

The government has identified 90 districts across India which are relatively backward and falling behind the national average in terms of socio-economic and basic amenities indicators.

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh has emphasized on speedy implementation of various projects that include multi-sectoral development plans.

The government plans to sanction Rs 200 crore during the first 100 days of UPA government for multi-sectoral development plans for 25 districts across the country, they said.

Though there has been no response from Bihar, which has been reminded thrice to submit the details of the project and requirements, Uttar Pradesh has responded and decided to send its officials next week to New Delhi for a meeting, the sources said.

“The empowered committee will be meeting on July 3 to approve plans for six more districts which will include five from Uttar Pradesh and one from Maharashtra,” they said.

The focus of the programme is rural and semi-urban areas of the identified 90 MCDs. It aims at improving the socio-economic parameters of basic amenities for improving the quality of life of the people.

Besides, the Ministry has also decided to sanction and release funds for coaching 2,000 minority students and candidates. (ANI)