AGARTALA, July 25 (TIWN): Tripura MP Jitendra Chaudhury today urged the Parliament for an increased ASIDE funding to Tripura from the existing Rs. 10 crores and sought to double the amount. In a meeting of the SLEPC held on November 23, 2012, it was decided to request the Government of India to increase the annual allocation for Tripura from Rs. 10.25 crore to Rs. 30 crore per year under the ASIDE, the MP said.

“We had taken up the issue with the Ministry. But the same was not enhanced and the concerned ministry sanctioned us Rs. 10.25 Cr during the current financial year as well”, the MP said.

The MP said that increase of ASIDE allocation is very essential since implementation of series of high value projects like international exhibition centre at Hapania with around Rs. 80 crores, a software technology park with partial funding of Rs 20 crores, construction of Feni Bridge over river Feni with an estimated expense of Rs. 77 crores among other projects were already started.

The MP proposed to shift the Khowai Land Custom Station to Paharmura, sanction of four new LCS proposed under the central ASIDE at Khowaighat, Dhalaighat, Old Raghnabazaar and Manughat, approval of Leelagarh tea factory under the EDF, operationalization of Sabroom Land Custom Station, setting up an additional LCS at Srinagar etc.

He sought permission for the Customs and Excise Department to use customs land for construction of a Land Custom Station at Belonia. The MP raised the issue of connecting the Chittagong port with Tripura to connect the NE states with the South Asian nations earlier on the day as well.