UP refutes Rahul's charges over Bundelkhand

Lucknow, Jan 18: Joining issues with Rahul Gandhi, Uttar Pradesh government on Thursday strongly refuted charges levelled by the Congress general secretary that the Mayawati regime was late in demanding a financial package for Bundelkhand and that development works in the impoverished region were unsatisfactory.

According to the state official spokesperson here tonight, the regime had demanded special packages worth Rs 80,000 crore for Bundelkhand and Purvanchal regions of UP two months after the government formation, but the Centre paid no heed to it. During his two-day visit to Bundelkhand, Rahul on Thursday held the Mayawati government responsible for the critical situation in Bundelkhand noting that only 5 paise of every 100 paise meant for developmental works sent by the Centre was reaching the people.

The state government also rebutted accusations that the packages demanded by it were ambiguous in nature as to the specific purposes, they had been sought for. The BSP government further contradicted that the state dispensation had not initiated any work in the drought-hit region at its level.

In September last year, UP had declared nine districts as drought-hit and initiated relief work immediately, the spokesperson added. Food grains bank were established in these districts and an action plan entailing an outlay of Rs 1,500 crore initiated.

Besides, the state government alleged that the Centre was not making funds available for its projects.

UNI