Calcutta, March 12: The state government has decided to launch a scheme to fund development projects in seven districts that have a sizeable minority population but less than the 20 per cent required for the Centre’s Multi-sectoral Development Programme (MsDP).

Government sources said the project, which will cover any group that is a minority in the seven districts, was visualised with an eye on next year’s panchayat polls.

The Integrated Minorities Development Project (IMDP), prepared by the state minority affairs department to fund projects in minority-dominated blocks of Bankura, Purulia, West and East Midnapore, Hooghly, Jalpaiguri and Darjeeling, was recently approved by the finance department.

A sum of Rs 28 crore has been allotted for the project, work for which is likely to begin from April. The funds will be used to set up schools and polytechnics, construct roads and install drinking water facilities.

“The project was planned after the government realised that seven districts that do not get central funds under the MsDP but have minority-dominated pockets are lagging behind the others. The proposal has been approved and Rs 28 crore has been set aside for this purpose,” a senior official of the minority affairs department said.

Twelve Bengal districts, including Calcutta, get funds under the MsDP as their minority population is 20 per cent or above, Writers’ officials said.

“As the remaining seven districts don’t qualify for the scheme, they are lagging behind the others. The new project will bridge the gap to some extent,” the official said.

A senior minister in Mamata Banerjee’s cabinet told The Telegraph on condition of anonymity: “Some minority leaders had started alleging that the new government was not doing enough for the minority communities. This project will be a fitting reply to them. It will prove that the government is determined to ensure overall development of the minority communities.”

He added that the project would help Trinamul strengthen its base in the minority-dominated areas of the seven districts in the run-up to the panchayat elections.

“Despite the cash crunch, we have allotted Rs 28 crore for the project. This proves how serious we are about the development of the minority communities,” the minister said.

According to officials, Bengal has received Rs 660 crore under the MsDP in the past five years.

“We have utilised about 80 per cent of the money, received over five years. A number of school buildings and industrial training institutes have been built. Several drinking water facilities have also been installed. Work on many more projects is in progress. We expect that by the end of this month, we would be able to spend more than 90 per cent of the funds,” an official said.

Now, the state government will initiate similar projects in the pockets of the seven districts that have a considerable minority population.

“Blocks like Arambagh, Bishnupur and Nandigram have more than 20 per cent minority population but do not get funds under the MsDP because the districts where they are located are not eligible for the scheme. We will start projects under the IMDP here,” the official said.