Blitz Bureau
NEW DELHI: India has allocated Rs 4,883 crore as aid to neighbouring countries in the Union budget tabled by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman in the Parliament on July 23. This year’s allocation marks a decrease from Rs 5,408.37 crore designated in the fiscal year 2023-24.
India has allocated Rs 2,068.56 crore to Bhutan, down from Rs 2,400.58 crore allocated last year, of which Rs 2,398.97 crore was used. Afghanistan sees an allocation of Rs 200 crore, the same as the fiscal year 2023-24, however, last year an extra Rs 20 crore was used. Bangladesh will receive Rs 120 crore, a decrease from Rs 200 crore allocated last year, with only Rs 130 crore used.
Nepal was allotted Rs 700 crore, up from Rs 550 crore allocated, and an extra Rs 100 crore used in the previous year. Sri Lanka received an increased allocation of Rs 245 crore, up from Rs 150 crore allocated last year. India continues to extend support of Rs 400 crore to the Maldives, consistent with the previous year’s allocation, though actual usage last year was Rs 770.90 crore.
Allocation to Myanmar is Rs 250 crore, down from Rs 400 crore allocated last year, with Rs 370 crore used. Mongolia received Rs 5 crore, down from last year, which was Rs 7 crore, but only Rs 5 crore was used. Chabahar Port is to get Rs 100 crore, the same amount as last year.
