Bengaluru: The state government on Thursday announced a new scheme, ‘Grama Vikasa Yojane’, for the development of villages. Under the scheme, five villages in each rural Assembly constituency will be developed at a cost of Rs 75 lakh each, Rural Development and Panchayat Raj Minister H K Patil told reporters here on Thursday.

He said Rs 750 crore was earmarked for the scheme announced in the budget. “The scheme will start from October 2 and will be completed in one year.” The most backward and neglected villages will be taken up on priority for development. A committee headed by the MLA of the constituency with the gram panchayat chairman as co-chairman, will monitor the implementation of the scheme, Patil said.

The minister said funds will be allotted in proportion to the population of the village, at Rs 7,500 per person and a maximum ceiling of Rs 75 lakh. “For example, a village with a population of 800 will get Rs 60 lakh,” he said.

This fund will include 50 per cent for laying, repairing roads and drainages, 12 per cent for building libraries, memorials of writers, artistes, open air theatre, 12 per cent for providing facilities like gyms, floodlights for village sports, 2 per cent for procuring devices to telecast GP proceedings through local network and 6 per cent for repair and renovation of temples, masjids, churches and prayer halls, Patil said.