Centre not discriminating against any state: Rijiju

New Tehri(Uttarakhand), Feb 9: Union Minister of State for Home Kiren Rijiju today said the Centre is not discriminating against any state no matter which political party is in power there.

At a review meeting with district level officials here Rijiju said in view of Uttarakhand's vulnerability to natural disasters funds have already been given by the Centre to the state government.

Underscoring the importance of further strengthening the State Disaster Response Force and the National Disaster Response Force, he said,"the Centre is not discriminating against any state on the basis of which party it happens to be governed by."

Describing life in the hills as difficult, Rijiju said it is better if policies for the development of the hills are framed not in Delhi but after a first hand assessment of the conditions prevailing in these areas.

Laying emphasis on infrastructural development in border areas, he reiterated the Centre's commitment to provide basic facilities like power, roads and communication systems saying these things alone can help people living in such areas to join the mainstream of development.

Terming Jan Dhan yojana, Mudra loan, Atal Pension Yojana, Digital and Make In India as the major achievements of Narendra Modi government, Rijiju said these schemes had given a new identity to India in the international arena.

Replying to a question related to the rehabilitation of more than two dozen villages displaced by the Tehri dam, the Union Minister said he will speak to Union Power Minister Piyush Goyal to find a solution to the vexed issue.

He said his visit to Tehri follows the Prime Minister's instruction to every minister to chose two Lok Sabha constituencies each to interact with people and know about their problems.

PTI