Centre playing politics over water-train issue: Akhilesh

Accusing the Centre of playing politics over water-train issue, UP Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav today asked it to send tankers in large numbers to the parched Bundelkhand region for supply of water from dams and canals there.

“If the central government really wants to help the state, it should provide tankers in thousands so that water can be provided in the villages there,” he said at a public event here.

Yadav said the train sent to Jhansi in Bundelkhand region had no water in the wagons.

“The Bundelkhand region has many dams and canals where there is enough water. The requirement is to supply water from them,” he said, adding the state government is working in that direction.

Yadav, who dedicated to the people 46 projects worth Rs 79.02 crore and laid the foundation of 28 projects worth Rs 800 crore, said his government was working to strike a balance between cities and villages.

Referring to welfare schemes, he said a record of sorts is being made in the state by laying roads.

The Agra-Lucknow expressway is being completed in a record time without any controversy over the acquisition of land, the Chief Minister said.

Taking potshots at the central government, he asked it to highlight a single welfare scheme for the people of the state.

“We have given autos and e-rickshaws to the people on the basis of their requirement, whereas the central government is giving e-rickshaws by arranging its cost through other means,” he said.

Yadav said the issue of raising honorarium of anganwadi workers was being looked into.