Congress committed to development of minorities: PM

Juria (Assam), Apr 2: Prime Minister Manmohan Singh today said the UPA government was committed to development of minorities in Assam as several schemes were initiated for this purpose in the state.

"The Congress-led UPA government has already initiated several schemes for development of minorities. If the party returns to power in Assam, more work will be done," Singh said while addressing a mammoth poll rally here under Rupohihat constituency of Nagaon district.

There were 90 minority dominated districts in the country and of these, 13 were in Assam with Nagaon being a leading one, Singh said.

The government laid emphasis on providing better education facilities to minorities and free primary education would be given to their children in these areas, he said.

The Congress government has also initiated several development work for Nagaon district and this includes setting up of a cement factory and a Food Craft Institute.

The Prime Minister said he was honoured to be present at the land from where the great Assamese reformer saint Srimanta Sankardeva hailed and was very happy to come to Assam again.

"As you all know I represent the state in Parliament and I consider Assam my state. I have always got a lot of love from Assam and it will always be my effort to serve you better," he said.

The Prime Minister asserted that he was convinced the people of Assam would not be misguided by the false promises of the AGP and BJP and would vote for the Congress to strengthen the hands of party president Sonia Gandhi.

PTI