New Delhi, June 25: Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot is yet to get the Centre's clearance for his visit to the US as part of his efforts to mobilise support of non-resident Indians for development of his state. "My tour has not yet been cleared. My plan was to strengthen social ties between the state and NRIs who are keen on investing in the state for its development," he told reporters here today.

He said several NRIs had come forward to help the state during the recent drought and this had been very encouraging and it was felt that the tour would help in getting more support from NRIs.

Gehlot said that it was unfortunate that no Central minister had ever visited the state during the last 11 months to see the plight of the people due to drought conditions.

He said even though Deputy Prime Minister L K Advani had visited Jaipur, he never spoke of the drought prevailing in the state.

"Workers of all political parties should work for drought relief. After all it is a problem on which there should be unity among all," he said.

Bureau Report