In a rebuttal to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s claim that the Uttar Pradesh Government had denied land near Varanasi city for setting up a training-cum-marketing centre for weavers, Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav said his Government had never denied land to the Union Government’s project.
“The State Government has never denied land to the Union Government. We are ready to give land for development projects wherever the Central Government wants,” Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav said on Friday.“The Central Government wanted a particular piece of land but it had been allocated for setting up of Haat. Three-four sites were proposed but the Union Government opted for its own land (owned by CPWD) at the lalapur village,” the official said.
He said even the land on which this facilitation centre was coming up was within Varanasi’s city area.“Varanasi city has expanded like anything. The site is now part of city not Varanasi district,” he said.Meanwhile, Yadav, who was in Agra to attend a meet organised by Agra Footwear Manufacturers and Exporters Chamber (AFMEC), said his Government was keen to develop the area around the Taj Mahal.
“The state Government has plans to build an international stadium and an airport at Agra. This airport will be connected to Yamuna Expressway and the upcoming lucknow-Agra Expressway, giving this region world class connectivity by rail, road and air,” Yadav said and added that there was a proposal to develop a Chambal safari. Besides, he said, a world class vegetable market would also come up in that area.Talking about the achievements of his Government, the Chief Minister said that they were trying their best to provide adequate medical facilities through own healthcare institutions.
“Ours is the only government that has fulfilled almost all thepromises made during the election campaign. We are working for the development of the state,” he said.When asked about the law and order situation, Yadav blamed people from other states for crimes in UP.“Most of the crimes in UP are being committed by outsiders. They are from Punjab, Haryana and Uttarakhand. They come to UP just to commit crime and then escape to other states,” he said.