Do not deny fruits of development to weaker sections, says Sonia

Dharamsala, Oct 30 (UNI) Reiterating the Congress' commitment to uplift of Dalits, backward sections and minorities and empower women, party president Sonia Gandhi today said weaker sections should not be denied the fruits of development.

Addressing a massive rally here, she said while the country marches ahead, state governments should ensure that the weaker sections were not left behind.

''Uplift of poor and backward sections has been the focal point of policies initiated by late Prime Minister Indira Gandhi and the Congress government has decided to implement the 20-point programme with greater vigour after reviewing its past performance,Ғ she said.

Criticising the previous NDA Government, Ms Gandhi said unlike them, the United Progressive Government (UPA) at the Centre was giving full cooperation to all state governments.

''The Congress Governments do not work for themselves but for the well being and progress of the people of the country,Ғ Ms Gandhi said.

Complimenting the Himachal Pradesh Government for its achievements during the last three years, Ms Gandhi said the Centre was cooperating with all the state governments irrespective of the party in power.

Ms Gandhi appreciated the progress made by the state in the field of education and said efforts should be made t provide more employment opportunities to the educated youth.

The state government should take full advantage of the central industrial package, which has now been extended to 2010, for its speedy industrialisation, she said.

Referring to Kangra, Ms Gandhi said she would try too take up the problems faced by the people in the district with Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh.

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