Integrated Watershed Management Programme, a Rural Development Ministry Scheme under which the Government facilitates water harvesting, potable water and water sanitation and other ecological activities in the rural hinterlands, will be incorporated in guidelines of Integrated Action Plan. The IAP, started in 2010, is aimed to improve governance, provide better habitation and infrastructure in 60 Naxal districts across the country. Last week, during an Empowered Group of Officers meeting headed by Planning Commission Member Secretary Sudha Pillai, District Collectors of these Naxal-hit districts had sought incorporation of IWMP in IAP guidelines. The Plan panel has accepted the demand and has made relevant changes in the IAP guidelines. The panel is reviewing IAP guidelines for 12th Plan and is going to have a meeting in this regard tomorrow. In the 12th Plan, the Government plans to expand IAP to 18 more districts - taking the tally to 78 districts. This change will allow district collectors in 60 Naxalite districts to utilize funds given under IAP for IWMP. Currently, IWMP gets Central assistance through Rural Development Ministry. The Panel has also increased Cost Norms from Rs 12,000/ha to Rs 15,000/ ha for these districts since cost of development is high here due to high risk involved. The Government gave a block-grant of Rs 25 crore to each of the 60 naxal-hit districts in 2010-11 which in 2011-12 was raised to Rs 30 crore per district.