With a view to promote industrialisation of backward areas in the country, the Government of India, in June, 1988, had announced the Growth Centre Scheme under which 71 Growth Centres were proposed to be set up throughout the country (Appendix–V) with basic infrastructure facilities such as power, water, telecommunications and banking to enable them to attract industries.  These have been allocated amongst States on the basis of a combined criteria of area, population and extent of industrial backwardness.  68 growth centres have so far been sanctioned by the Government of India.

The Central Government assists the State Governments by contributing upto Rs.10 crores by way of equity for each growth centre.  The balance funds are to be raised by the State Governments and their agencies who implement the projects.  The amount of Central assistance has been increased to Rs.15 crores for each growth centre in the North–Eastern Region in view of the continued backwardness of the Region.

The total amount of Central assistance released under the Scheme since its inception is Rs. 316.71 crores (upto 31.12.2000). The year–wise break up is indicated in the table given below:– 

The Plan Allocation for 2000–2001 is Rs.32.50 crores.

Significant progress has been made in the development of growth centres since the beginning of the Ninth Plan, borne by the following facts:

 

 

  List of Growth Centres where full Central Assistance of Rs. 10 Crore released
(Rs. Crores)

 

Appendix – V

LIST OF GROWTH CENTRES

ANDHRA PRADESH

1.                                Hindupur                                                                Anantapur
2.                                Khammam                                                              Khammam
3.                                Ongole                                                                    Prakasam
4.                                Vizianagaram–Bobbili                                             Vizianagaram

ARUNACHAL PRADESH

5.                                Niklog Ngorlung                                                      East Siang

ASSAM

6.                                Chariduar                                                                Sonitpur
7.                                Matia                                                                      Goalpara
8.                                Chaygaon                                                                Kamrup
                                                                                                                    (unapproved)

BIHAR

9.                              Begusarai                                                                   Begusarai
10.                            Bhagalpur                                                                   Bhagalpur
11.                            Chhapra                                                                     Chhapra
12.                            Darbhanga                                                                  Darbhanga
13.                            Muzzafarpur                                                                Muzzafarpur

CHHATTISGARH

14.                            Borai                                                                         Durg
15.                            Siltara                                                                        Raipur

GOA

16.                            Electronic City                                                           Verna–Plateau

GUJARAT

17.                            Gandhidham                                                                Kutch