Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee announced a moratorium on repayment of the Central Government loan availed by Assam for its flood management during his recent one-day visit to the State.

Talking to the newspersons at the Guwahati Airport, he said, "This is an interim measure before a final resolution is made on the issue of outstanding loans, for which a special scheme is under preparation."

"The first instalment of current year’s budgetary outlay has been released in favour of the Assam Government," he added.

Mr. Vajpayee said specified industries located in areas outside the growth centres have been exempted from exercise duties for the seven North-East states.

Replying to a question, the Prime Minister said that Assam and Tripura have been accorded the exemption for their all excisable goods produced in the factories on their request to the Central Government.

Responding to another question on the status of Silchar-Saurashtra express highway, Mr. Vajpayee said that a separate fund for the project had been created and National Highway Development Authority had been entrusted with the execution of the work.