COMMENTARY
INTERVIEWS
SPECIALS
CHAT
ARCHIVES

Sanctions have not affected AP: Naidu

Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Nara Chandrababu Naidu has said the economic sanctions imposed by some countries on India in the wake of the nuclear tests had not affected the state so far.

Addressing the media, he said the government was reviewing the situation and would discuss the issue with the Centre.

Asked about Japan's announcement of stoppage of aid under the Overseas Economic Co-operation Fund programme, Naidu said the move would not affect the sanctioned projects.

He said loans being negotiated with the World Bank included Rs 6 billion for restructuring the Andhra Pradesh State Electricity Board, Rs 14 billion for bringing Krishna water to Hyderabad and Rs 23 billion for the state economic restructuring programme.

Naidu, who had just returned after inspecting irrigation repair work being undertaken by farmers themselves for the first time through the water users's associations in Krishna and Godavari delta areas, said Rs 3.8 billion had been released to the associations.

The scale of work being undertaken was unprecedented in the history of the state. One-third of the command area (5 million acres), which hitherto did not get water, would be benefited within one year, he added.

UNI