Banka/Jamui: The Centre is all set to release special funds to 35 districts across seven states, including six districts in Bihar, which are affected by left-wing extremism.

The Union home ministry will allocate Rs 28.57 crore annually to each of the 35 districts and rhe funds would be mainly for development of infrastructure and other services so that the backward areas see the light of development, said sources in the know.

According to a highly placed source, the funds would be allotted under special central assistance for three consecutive years starting from the 2017-2018 financial year.

The Bihar districts that will get the funds are Gaya, Muzaffarpur, Nawada, Aurangabad, Banka, and Jamui.

"If any district fails to utilise the funds for the specific financial year, it would be considered lapsed with no adjustment," a source said.

For utilising the funds, there would be a district-level committee headed by the district magistrate, the superintendent of police and district forest officials.

Before getting the Centre's final approval, the blue-print prepared by the district-level committee would be checked by a state-level committee headed by the chief secretary.

The sources said the Centre would intimate the chosen states by the middle of February 2018. A special secretary-rank official at the Union home ministry, who is also assigned to keep tabs on Maoist activities throughout the country, is coordinating with the states, the sources said.

However, district officials at Jamui and Banka do not yet have any idea about the scheme.

"We don't have any information yet about such a scheme but it will certainly change the fate of hinterlands in poor sleepy districts like Banka," said Banka DM Kundan Kumar.

Jhajha-based social activist Arun Bohora said: "Earlier the central government introduced many welfare schemes for such areas, but nothing could be achieved. The success or failure of the new scheme would depend on the officials concerned."