Five states cornering majority of funds: Jairam

Shimla, Apr 11 (UNI) Union Minister of State for Commerce Jairam Ramesh today said five big states of the country were cornering 70 per cent of the funds under the Assistance to State for Infrastructure Development (ASIDE).

''The five states of Maharashtra, Gujarat, Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu and Karnataka are cornering 70 per cent funds under the ASIDE as compared to 30 per cent by the other states,'' he said at a press conference here.

Mr Ramesh said the fund helps in promoting export of finished goods from the state. ''While the big five are cornering the majority of the funds, the others are yet to realise its importance.

He rued the failure of some of the northern states and northern eastern states in taking advantage of the funds from increasing its exports, saying that besides earning foreign exchange its helps in providing employment to the educated youth.

Himachal Pradesh had only been allocated a paltry sum of Rs five crore from the Rs 550 crore fund under ASIDE, he said.

''I hope Uttranchal, HP, Bihar, Assam and other states would take advantage of the funds and develop necessary infrastructure.'' Mr Ramesh said Himachal and Uttaranchal should aggressively market their products, which, they were not doing.

The Centre would also take a positive view of the state government's decision of setting up of two Special Economic Zones (SEZ) at Kangra and Una districts of the state.

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