UP Govt. creating hurdles in Amethi's development, says Rahul

Jagdishpur (Uttar Pradesh), Aug.17 (ANI): Congress General secretary Rahul Gandhi on Monday blamed the Uttar Pradesh government for creating hurdles in the development of his parliamentary constituency, Amethi.

Rahul was speaking at a gathering after inaugurating a stamping unit of State-run power equipment maker Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited (BHEL) in Jagdishpur area during a three-day visit to his constituency.

Gandhi said that the Central government sanctioned a paper mill project worth rupees 30 billion, which would create 25,000 jobs, in Amethi. But the Mayawati-led State government did not allot land for the project.

"As the minister (Minister for Heavy Industries and Public Enterprises, Vilasrao Deshmukh accompanying Rahul) said government will pay money to people for their lands, and a member of the family whose land would be taken for the project, will be employed. This way there would be benefit to the people of Rae Bareli, Amethi and Uttar Pradesh but the government of Uttar Pradesh has stalled this project and for this they (government) say there is no land in Amethi. The project will generate employment to 25,000 people but they say since there is no land therefore we cannot give it," Rahul said.

"It is unfortunate that the Central government wants to invest here but we don't get support. The state government has returned the money we gave for the project," said Vilasrao Deshmukh, Union inister for Heavy Industries and Public Enterprises on this occasion. (ANI)