Rs.53,000 crore allotted for development of northeast: Harsimrat

The central government has allocated Rs.53,000 crore in the 2015-16 budget for development of the northeastern states and has also proposed to set up six agricultural universities, Union Food Processing Industries Minister Harsimrat Kaur Badal said here.

It has also sanctioned Rs.10,000 crore for upgradation of power transmission in north-east India and will introduce scholarship schemes for students from the area, she told mediapersons here after inaugurating a photo exhibition organised by Directorate of Advertising and Visual Publicity.

Talking about the NDA government, the minister said that there was no scam and corruption in the last one year and a decisive leadership ensured policies were not paralysed.

She said Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visits abroad have increased the prestige and standing of India in the international forum and Indians settled abroad have developed a sense of pride for their country.

Harsimrat Kaur also said the 'Make in India' initiative has become a reality with the world looking towards India with inflow of huge investment into the country which will provide infrastructure and job opportunities to ensure growth and prosperity for everyone to develop equally.

She said the 14th Finance Commission recommendations have been accepted by the government which will ensure devolution of more funds to the states and less with the centre so that the states can charter its own future.