Cong slams Mayawati govt over Bundelkhand issue

Mahoba, Jan 4 (UNI) Congress today blamed the Mayawati the government for failing to optimally use central funds in the development of the impoverished Bundelkhand and thus responsible for drought and starvation in the region.

UP Congress president Rita Bahuguna Joshi, who came here to take stock of the situation, told newspersons that Bundelkhand was rich in natural resources and had the government exploited the central funds judiciously, the region would not have witnessed such a situation.

She alleged that the state governemnt had misused the funds, which they had asked for the poor farmers and agrarian purposes, and is now all set to use it in construction of bunglows and complexes.

''The corrupt Mayawati government has barred the general public from the central government projects meant for the benefits of masses,'' Dr Joshi said.

The Central government had sanctioned Rs 190 crore for land and water conservation, she claimed.

Moreover, no steps had been taken for the establishment of 500 rural banks, she added.

Underlining the irregularities in National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme, she said only 24,341 people were given jobs out of the 44,484 job card holders.

About Rs 2 crore were sanctioned under the scheme, of which only Rs 22 lakh was spent, she informed.

She noted that the region was in a pitiable condition due to the irresponsible attitude of the state government, which even today does not realise its duties.

UNI XC-PDM VS BDP HT1907