PM likely to visit UP on August 8

Lucknow, July 31: The Mayawati government in Uttar Pradesh will press its demand for a financial package of Rs 80,000 crore from the Centre during the Prime Minister Manmohan Singh here on August 8.

Though the tour of the PM is being finalised by the PMO, state goverment officials are busy preparing the details of the meeting to be held between the senior officials of the state government and the union government. This will be the first visit of the PM after Ms Mayawati took over the reins of the State on May 13.

Mr Singh is expected to visit the state along with his deputy in Planning Commission Montek Singh Ahluwalia, Union Finance Minister P Chidambaram and Union Agriculture minister Sharad Pawar, official sources said.

The visit is part of the PM's tour to six states to assess the agricultural potential of the economy so that 5 per cent growth target becomes feasible in the agriculture sector during the 11th Five Year Plan period. Dr Singh is presently touring Andhra Pradesh.

During his day-long visit, the PM is likely to visit Rae Bareli or Amethi to launch some developmental programme.

Earlier the PM was expected to visit the state on July 27 but it was postponed by the PMO.

Sources said that the PM and his high level delegation will discuss in detail about the financial package demanded by UP and it is expected that a joint committee of the Centre and state would be set up.

On July 20 last, Ms Mayawati met the PM at New Delhi and put forth demands of the special financial package for the state to cut down the poverty level by 50 per cent in the Eleventh Plan period and all round development of the state.

Ms Mayawati said Dr Singh had assured consideration by the centre on the demand and has announced to set up a committee to discuss the issue.

UNI