UPA govt committed to eradicate poverty: Oscar Fernandes

Imphal, Sep 12 (UNI) Union Minister of state Oscar Fernandes today said the UPA government, led by Dr Manmohan Singh, is committed to eradicate poverty and illiteracy in the country.

Speaking in a conference here today, Mr Fernandes said the UPA government has taken up various new schemes for the people.

About 12 crore children were given food under midday meal programme. Under the Bharat Nirman programme, the Centre would connect all villages through road and telecommunications. Health sector would be given top priority, he added.

Mr Fernandes, who is also the AICC General Secretary, said, ''Six states in the country including Manipur had high prevalence of HIV/AIDS. We should remember that there are nations in the world which have no youth workforce as 30 to 40 percent of the youths are affected by the disease. We should not allow such a condition to prevail in the country,'' he said.

The developmental schemes taken up by the UPA government was in line of Mahatma Gandhi and India's first Prime Minister Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru.

''The elections for the next general Assembly elections would be in Manipur soon and we should ensure that there are no hindrances,'' he said.

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