UP govt denies reports of starvation deaths in Varanasi

Lucknow, Dec 4 (UNI) Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Mayawati today categorically denied reports of a village in Varanasi district being on the verge of starvation and blamed opposition parties for ''creating the confusing scenario''.

''The media reports in this regard are baseless, misleading and far from being true,'' she told reporters here.

Ms Mayawti said that a detailed inquiry was conducted on the basis of the report which said Anai village of Varanasi district was on the verge of starvation and a poor child was a victim of malnutrition.

The child in question was already under treatment at the local hospital and was given Rs 1000 as financial assistance from the administration, she said.

The CM alleged that the opposition parties were bereft of any solid issue and had become politically bankrupt. ''They have nothing at their disposal to offer to the people of the state but the false propaganda against the state government,'' she said.

UNI