Chhattisgarh polls: Sonia promises of 36 fold development pace in State

Raipur/Bhilai/Ambikapur November 12

Congress president Sonia Gandhi has promised that State’s development pace would increase by 36 times if Congress will come to power. “Chhattisgarh lags in every parameter due to bad governance and wrong policies of BJP government. It is unfortunate that only few have been benefitted by State’s rich natural resources. In fact, the ideology that divides society cannot benefit anybody,” she said while kick-starting party’s second phase of poll campaign in Chhattisgarh by holding two public rallies in Bhilai and Ambikapur on Tuesday.

She said Chhattisgarh government crossed all limits of corruption in last ten years. “During this period, several State ministers faced graft charges but no action was taken against any of them,” she added.

She said law and order in the State was in haywire and women were compelled to live in insecure atmosphere. She said the government also failed to improve health and education sectors despite receiving ample funds.

“There has been marked rise in malnourishment cases in State. The females are not getting at par health facilities,” she said. “The government could not even provide basic facilities like road, electricity and water to the people of Chhattisgarh in ten years,’ she added.

She said mere talks were not enough as one would have to show dedication while serving people.

On naxal issue she lashed out at the BJP government and said it did not make proper use of funds and armed forces provided by Centre. “The government did not take any step in bringing the extremists to mainstream life. It even failed to protect our top leaders who became victim of the insurgents,” she said.

She pointed that migration continued in State because the government failed to effectively implement MNREGA. She said while UPA government’s food security law promises food to everybody, the new land acquisition law assures farmers that their lands would not be acquired without their consent.

She said Congress had always struggled for tribal, poor and weaker section of the society and would continue its endeavours in future too.

Mentioning her party’s poll manifesto in State she said her government would provide free rice to everybody except income tax payers. She said naxal affected people would get comprehensive rehabilitation package and forest produce would be purchased at support price. She also promised to establish technical and research organisation in Ambikapur.