New Delhi, Dec 20 (IANS): The central government has so far released Rs 2,537.50 crore for the development of Odisha's backward Kalahandi, Balangir and Koraput (KBK) districts.

In a written reply, Minister of State for Planning Rao Inderjit Singh informed the Lok Sabha Friday that the special plan for KBK districts is being funded under the state component of the Backward Regions Grant Fund (BRGF) with an allocation of Rs. 250 crore per annum during the Twelfth Five-Year Plan (2012-17).

The minister also said that the state government conducted evaluation studies to assess the effectiveness of 16 on-going or previous programmes/schemes for the development of KBK region through several reputed organisations and institutions.

He said the plan specifically addresses the needs of SCs/STs through schemes such as Promotion of Education amongst SC/ST girls and boys.

Other schemes for infrastructure development such as road connectivity, electricity supply, irrigation and basic amenities will benefit the SCs and STs of KBK region who form 55.8% of the population of this region.