Development in UP will be effective only with Congress Govt.: Rahul Gandhi

Amethi (Uttar Pradesh), Feb 8 (ANI): Congress General Secretary Rahul Gandhi criticizing the Mayawati Government of stifling centrally-sponsored schemes in Uttar Pradesh, on Tuesday said only a Congress Government can ensure development in the state.

"Programmes are being chalked out in Delhi, but here problems are being faced in their implementation. Frankly, without having a government in UP, it is not easy to carry out development works," said Gandhi.

"We will make an effort to form a government in UP, then both the governments will work in tandem," he added, while addressing a function in his constituency.

The Gandhi scion further alleged that the benefits of welfare schemes were not reaching the targeted population in Uttar Pradesh.

"Earlier, there was shortage of funds for development works, but it is not so now. The problem is that the benefits are not reaching the needy. Adequate funds are provided by the Centre for roads, but the projects are not carried out properly due to corruption," said Gandhi.

"We work our heart out and it really hurts when they are stopped by the UP Government," he added.

Citing the example of the proposed Hindustan paper mill, Gandhi said: "The project, which could have given job to nearly 10,000 people, is pending with the state government for clearance."

He further said that the Centre was trying to take the country ahead with a rapid pace, asserting that a lot of work has been done in MNREGA, health and education sector and efforts were being made to do more in future.

"The government is making efforts to implement Food Security Act in days to come," said Gandhi.

"In the education sector, a number of institutes like IIIT, FDDI and NIFT have been set up and efforts will be made to bring more institutes, because education ensures better future for the children," he added. (ANI)