Assuring all help to drought-hit Bundelkhand region, Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav said that his government would provide food and water to every needy person in the region. He also announced development of Jain pilgrimage Deogarh as an international tourist centre.
“The SP government has taken a slew of steps for the uplift of Bundelkhand. It has ensured that all families get foodgrains and water. We will not sit idle till the basic facilities reach every person in the region,” said Yadav while addressing a congregation in lalitpur where he distributed Samajwadi relief package among villagers. The food packets contained 25 kg wheat, 15 kg rice, 1 kg oil, 5 kg sugar, 3 kg dal and other essential items like fortified salt.
Yadav added that strict orders had been given to ensure round-the-clock power supply so that the state-run tube wells could operate and provide succour.
“Under MNREGA, the farmers in Bundelkhand will be given 150 days of work instead of 100. Besides, over 1000 ponds will be dug so that there is enough water after the rains,” the CM promised.
The CM stressed that his government had brought all-round development of the state. “Other parties do not have any development agenda. If they have any, they should come out with the blueprint. The Opposition is jealous of our development programmes and has, therefore, started a smear campaign against us,” he said.
Yadav also visited Deogarh and, on his way back, took stock of the situation. He went to villages and enquired whether people were getting benefits from government schemes. He pulled up officials for the sordid state of roads there. He announced that the place would be developed with all facilities to attract foreign tourists.
Situated in lalitpur district, Deogarh is located on the right bank of Betwa river and to the west of lalitpur hills. It is known for Gupta era monuments of Hindu and Jain origins of 8th and 9th century. There are 31 Jain temples inside Deogarh fort, the most famous being the Shantinath temple, which was built before 862 AD. Presently, all the monuments in Deogarh are protected by the ASI.
Wishing the people on Mahavir Jayanti, the CM suggested: “We should follow the path shown by Mahavir to serve humanity.” Yadav also laid the foundation of six projects and dedicated six others to the people.