UP CM Akhilesh Yadav says Centre turned blind eye to Bundelkhand drought

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav on Tuesday accused the Centre of turning a blind eye to drought-hit Bundelkhand and said his government would make a separate provision in the budget for the region if needed.

"Due to drought, the situation of Bundelkhand is not good but Centre has turned a blind eye towards it. It did nothing for helping poor," he told a gathering.

Noting that the condition of Bundelkhand was "worse" compared to other states, he said his government would make a separate provision in the state budget, if necessary, for the region.

"No one can make allegations of bias against government in distributing relief to the affected people. The government is distributing food grains from state funds. We are trying to help the peple here without any contribution from Centre," he said.

He said the state government is distributing packets of food grain, pulses, potatoes, oil, milk powder, salt and sugar.

Akhilesh also lambasted the BSP for raking up the issue of development in the state, saying a number of ministers and officers of its regime were in jail.

"If the path of BSP's development passes through jail, you can imagine, which type of development it can give," he said.

On the occasion, CM launched developmental projects worth several crores and announced plans to develop Deogarh as a tourist destination.