Sabarmati-Dandi heritage road decision is political gimmick: Modi

Valsad, Aug 9 (UNI) Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi called Centre's decision to set up a heritage road linking the historic Sabarmati Ashram in Ahmebabad and Dandi in south Gujarat, a ''political gimmick''.

Mr Modi while addressing a large gathering of Swarnim Gujarat Sankalp Jyot Rath Yatra at Uamargam town of Valsad District in South Gujarat last evening said Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh had made this announcement in Dandi during the UPA government sponsored Dandi March to celebrate the platinum jubilee celebration of the historic Dandi March three years back.

The Chief Minister disbursed cash assistance of Rs 3.20 crore to the weaker sections and tribals during a grand function held at the scenic golden beach of Umargam during Swarnim Gujarat Sankalp Jyot Yatra.

During the function Mr Modi said the Golden Jubilee of Gujarat in the year 2010 would prove to be a cyclone of development in the state. He gave away a sanction letter for water supply scheme worth Rs 69.37 lakh under Vajpeyee Nagar Vikas Yojna for Umargam town.

Mr Modi handed out a cheque of Rs 1.26 crore as insurance policy premium for 48,079 Below Poverty Line (BPL) Tribal people of the district under Gujarat government's Insurance Cover Scheme for BPL tribal families. A cheque worth Rs 19.18 lakh was given away as arrears to the Anganwadi workers.

Minister-in-charge for Valsad Dileep Sanghani, Forest Minister Mangubhai Patel, Minister of State for education Jaisinh Chauhan also addressed the gathering.

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