Critical Infrastructure Balance Scheme, set up in 1997, is part of the drive to boost exports through export facilitation and removal of impediments to exports with particular emphasis on infrastructural bottlenecks.

The projects for which funds have been sanctioned under the scheme include Andhra Pradesh, Orissa and Kerala (four projects each), Goa, Karnataka, Gujarat, Mizoram and Maharashtra (one each), Meghalaya, Madhya Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Tripura and Assam (two each) Rajasthan (3), Uttar Pradesh (8) and West Bengal (5).

Of the Rs 52.35 crore sanctioned under the scheme so far, Rs 10.85 crore and Rs 25.50 crore were sanctioned during 1996-97 and 1997-98 respectively, the release said.

Sanctions during 1998-99 fiscal till January amounted to Rs 16 crore against the revised estimate of Rs 28crore for the year.