Agreed there are norms for admitting a particular area in the category of Backward Area but that does not mean that an application by the residents of some more areas desiring the Government to include them in the category should be pushed under the carpet and their voice should not be heard. A number of assembly members have cast aspersions on the functioning of the Backward Commission saying that it is not functioning properly and is not responding to the applications and complaints of the people or even the elected representatives of the people. Obviously, there must be reasons for the complaining MLAs to voice their grievance against the Commission. We are of the opinion that the norms laid down for inclusion of any area in the Residents of Backward Area should be the primary guidelines to be adhered to. But this cannot be the final word. Situations arise in which the entire matter needs to be re-visited. Furthermore, the Backward Commission should make it obligatory to visit the areas wherefrom residents insist on declaring them as RBA. On spot examination will go a long way in framing balanced opinion about the area under discussion? More people would like to be declared owing to the benefits that will accrue to them by doing so. But the concessions granted by the Government cannot be misused in case the said people don’t fulfil the conditions and norms. It is not only the inclusion of the area under RBA that would assure benefits to the people concerned. There are other schemes and programmes and projects equally useful in lifting the area from backwardness. The MLAs should also explore those possibilities for their constituencies.
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