LUCKNOW, Jan. 29 -- The planning department has sought an increase of Rs.700 crore for the development of 37 districts under the Purvanchal/Bundelkhand Balanced Regional Development Fund (BRDF), a financial mechanism aimed at reducing regional disparities by funding development in identified backward districts.

For the 2026-27 budget, a proposal seeking an allocation of Rs.1,900 crore has been sent to the finance department. In the previous financial year, the BRDF allocation stood at Rs.1,200 crore, including Rs.800 crore for Purvanchal and Rs.400 crore for Bundelkhand, a senior official said.

The BRDF focuses on addressing regional disparities by supporting development works in backward districts, primarily through the planning depart...