Centre's funds siphoned off by UP ministers: Rahul Gandhi

Firing a fresh salvo at the BSP-led Mayawati government in Uttar Pradesh, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi Saturday alleged the money meant for Bundelkhand farmers was misused by minister Naseemuddin Siddiqui.

Addressing a rally here on the last day of his five-day mass contact programme in the state, he accused state Ministers and officials of siphoning central funds.

"Funds were sent for farmers of Bundelkhand region under a special package but were misused by PWD minister Naseemuddin Siddiqui for buying tractors for his relatives," Rahul said.

Crores of rupees were provided to the state government for providing health services in the state but they were siphoned off by the officials and ministers, the Congress general secretary alleged.

"The ministers involved are now rushing to Delhi to save themselves from the CBI probe," he said.

The funds sent by the UPA government were meant for various social welfare schemes in the state and not for ministers and officials, the Congress leader said.

"It saddens me when poor people in the state are not able to get benefits of various welfare schemes," he said.

"It is because funds are not spent on welfare schemes that the people have to migrate to Mumbai, Delhi and other cities in search of jobs."