UP declined to accept funds under Rs 265 crore project: Cong

Rae Bareli, UP, Apr 27 (UNI) To substantiate the statement of Amethi MP Rahul Gandhi that the state government was neglecting development in Rae Bareli, the Congress today alleged that Uttar Pradesh had declined to accept funds under a Rs 265 crore project approved by the Union Ministry of Water Resources.

Congress asserted that the state's refusal to avail of the project had left the problem of irrigation and drinking water unsolved in the Rae Bareli district.

''The state government declined funds under a consolidated Extension, Renovation and Modernisation (ERM) project for the Sharda Sahayak Canal System approved by the centre,'' party media in charge Indresh Vikram Singh told newspersons here.

Mr Singh claimed the project could not be implemented because the state government said it did not require funds for the purpose under the scheme.

Meanwhile, upping the ante against the UP dispensation, Rahul charged it with completely neglecting development in Rae Bareli.

Addressing election meetings in Saraini assembly segment here, he alleged that the state government practically did nothing for the development of the district.

On Tuesday, Rahul had kickstarted the campaign for his mother and AICC president Sonia Gandhi, who is seeking re-election from Rae Bareli Lok Sabha seat on May 8.

''Despite the apathy of the Samajwadi Party-led state government, Ms Gandhi has undertaken several steps for the welfare of people with the help of the centre,'' he said.

The Congress leader emphasised that his party was committed to the development of Rae Bareli in every possible way.

Since Tuesday, Rahul has addressed several public meetings in the high profile constituency. ''The Gandhi family shares a seasoned bond with Rae Baerli. When my grandmother, the late prime minister Indira Gandhi represented this constituency, good development was witnessed here,'' he had claimed yesterday.

He listed several schemes related to roads, drinking water and employment, which were ushered in following the victory of Sonia Gandhi in 2004.

''I consider myself the representative of both Amethi and Rae Bareli parliamentary constituencies,'' he observed.

The Rae Bareli bypoll was necessitated following the resignation of Sonia Gandhi from the Lok Sabha over post of profit controversy.

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