Sonia distributes scholarship cheques to students

Rae Bareli, July 31 (UNI) United Progressive Alliance (UPA) chairperson and Congress president Sonia Gandhi today distributed scholarship cheqes to meritorious students from the minority community.

The programme was organised by Maulana Azad Foundation at the ITI guest house here.

Today was the second day of Ms Gandhi's visit to her parliamentary constituency.

Ms Gandhi also planted a sapling as part of the Uttar Pradesh government's effort to plant one crore saplings today to create a world record and gain an entry in the Guinness Book of World Records.

A total of 42 students were given scholarship cheques by the Congress chief.

In her address, she exhorted the students, especially girls to come forward and contribute in nation building.

Later, Ms Gandhi presided over a meeting of block level party workers. She told them to approach the legislators for the redressal of their problems.

In the meeting, several problems relating to water, education, power, roads, irrigation, employment and farmers' woes were discussed and people put forth their grievances.

Local people complained that Rae Bareli lacked basic infrastructure, especially in villages, and even alleged widespread corruption in government departments.

They claimed people were devoid of benefits under government schemes due to corruption and commission culture.

Assuring quick action in this regard, Ms Gandhi said all possible help would be extended to the people in her constituency.

UNI