Politics cannot hinder development in Bihar: Lalu

Patna, Oct 17 (UNI) Railway Minister and RJD president Lalu Prasad today reiterated that political differences would not be allowed to come in the way of allround development of Bihar.

Addressing a function, organised on the occasion of the birth anniversary of the state's first Chief Minister Krishna Singh, Mr Prasad said the UPA government was ready to extend all financial assistance to the state government required for execution of developmental projects.

''All Ministers of the UPA government are sincere for allround development of the state and they are not inclined in taking any political mileage over the issue,'' he maintained.

''Funds will not be a constraint for development of the state as the Centre is ready to provide sufficient financial assistance for agriculture, health, education and other sectors,'' he emphasised.

Brushing aside the allegation of not doing anything concrete for development of Bihar during his regime, Mr Prasad said Opposition did not allow him to function smoothly and he was falsely implicated in several cases.

''As Railway Minister, I am working in peace without any pull back from any corner which resulted in turnaround of railway into a profit -making undertaking,'' he stressed.

''Railway will open outlets at almost all stations to enable the farmers to sell their produce in markets in others parts of the country,'' he said adding negotiations were on with private sectors to implement this mega project.

Mr Prasad assured that the Centre would take initiative to find a permanent solution to the perennial problem of floods which bring miseries to lakhs of people in north Bihar every year.

Addressing the function, Union Agriculture Minister Sharad Pawar said living standard of poor would not improve without massive boost in agriculture sector.

''We can pay homage to Sri Krishna Singh by actuating his dreams of strong and prosperous Bihar,'' he added.

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