Special Area Development Authority (SADA)

Special Area Development Authority (SADA) is body corporate. Special Area Development Programmes were designed to address the development challenges of the area with distinct physical and socio-economic characteristics.

About SADA

• It has has the following powers and functions:
  • Perpetual succession: The SADA has perpetual succession and a common seal.
  • Property acquisition and disposal: The SADA has the power to acquire, hold, and dispose of property.
  • Contractual capacity: The SADA has the power to contract.
  • Suing and being sued: The SADA can sue and be sued under its given name
• These are areas with distinct characteristics in terms of the physical setting, geographical location, social structure, cultural setting, and economic groupings. Special areas have their own special needs and developmental requirements due to unique characteristics.
• Special Area Development Programme is an important programme of planning progress of Government of India, which was started in Fourth Five Year Plan. It is a strategic plan of the special requirement to deal with problems of the various regions due to their distinct geo-physical structure and location like mountain, desert and socially economical backward region like tribal.

SADA Programmes

Some other special area of SADA programs include:

• Special Area Development Programme: This program focuses on the buffer zones around protected forests, which are important for soil and water conservation. The program provides grants and subsidies for various categories of work.
• Development of Local Bodies: This program focuses on improving water supply, sanitation, and roads in financially weaker local bodies. It also aims to create additional infrastructure and amenities in schools.
• Tribal Sub-plan Approach: This planning approach is used to develop tribal areas. It involves a set of activities to achieve long-term goals.

Recent Implementation

1. Recently, Bir in Himachal Pradesh and its nearby area are designated under SADA by HP Govt.
   • In October 2024, residents of Gunehar village in Kangra district protested the inclusion of their village in SADA. The villagers of Gunehar, a poor village with a population of just over 1900, are concerned that SADA will cause unnecessary harassment.