This paper investigates the impact of the Backward Regions Grant Fund on change in access to amenities for more than 5,000 subdistricts using data from the Census of India, 2001 and 2011. Using covariate balancing propensity score-weighted matching method, this paper shows that the BRGF programme failed to improve the public goods access in backward areas. The results also indicate that the non-BRGF subdistricts have performed better regarding public goods access. Further, using a nationally representative panel survey of rural households in India, the paper shows no significant improvement in household income and consumption expenditure due to the programme.