PM points finger at LF govt in Tripura for poor development

Udaipur, Tripura, Feb 19 (UNI) Prime Minister Manmohan Singh today refuted the allegation that the Centre had not been giving adequate funds to Tripura and charged the Left Front government in the state with running an inefficient administration, leading to tardy pace of development.

Addressing an election rally here, the Prime Minister said his government had attached the highest priority to the development and expansion of infrastructure like roads, highways, ports, power, railways, water supply, sewage treatment and sanitation and flayed the Left Front government in Tripura for not properly implementing the Central schemes.

Dr Singh promised to accelerate development and ensure employment for the youth besides, restoring peace and tranquility between tribals and non-tribals if the Congress came to power.

He pointed out that the UPA government had attached special attention to the Northeast as a whole and Tripura in particular for its strategic location.

Tripura had received Rs 250 crore under PMGSY and Rs 150 crore in NREGA so far, he said and lamented that as many as 350 villages of the state had not yet got electricity despite the UPA government's policies to enhance the region's energy security, particularly in the areas of oil and gas.

Dr Singh said the Left Front government had ''failed'' to bring the ONGC's 750 MW power plant project at Palatana in Udaipur in operation till date and promised that if the Congress alliance was voted to power, the state would see a tremendous growth in gas-based industries.

Eds: Here pick up suitably from earlier series.

UNI Team PK MIR KP1926