Guidelines for UIDF likely to be released by March-end

Subject : Economy

Section: Infrastructure

Concept :

The Urban Infrastructure Development Fund, created for the growth of Tier II and Tier III cities, should focus on the ongoing projects for the effective utilisation of funds; must provide for basic services; and encourage projects with lower carbon footprints.
These are among the slew of likely guidelines to be released for operationalising the UIDF scheme, which was announced in this year’s General Budget with an annual allocation of ₹10,000 crore.

About Urban Infrastructure Development Fund (UIDF):

UIDF will be established through the use of priority sector lending shortfall.
The fund will be used by public agencies to create urban infrastructure in tier-2 and tier-3 cities.
It will be managed by the National Housing Bank.
It will be established on the lines of the Rural Infrastructure Development Fund (RIDF).
States will be encouraged to leverage resources from the grants of the 15th Finance Commission, as well as existing schemes, to adopt appropriate user charges while accessing the UIDF.
Cities with a population in the range of 50,000 to 100,000 are classified as tier 2 cities, while those with a population of 20,000 to 50,000 are classified as tier 3 cities.

Rural Infrastructure Development Fund (RIDF)

The RIDF was set up by the Government in 1995-96 for financing ongoing rural Infrastructure projects.
The Fund is maintained by the National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD).
Contribution: Domestic commercial banks contribute to the Fund to the extent of their shortfall in stipulated priority sector lending to agriculture.
Main Objective: To provide loans to State Governments and State-owned corporations to enable them to complete ongoing rural infrastructure projects.
Loan to be repaid in equal annual installments within seven years from the date of withdrawal, including a grace period of two years.