UPA committed to give basic facilities to all: Sonia Gandhi

Asserting that inclusive growth will remain as central plank of UPA, Congress President Sonia Gandhi today said it was in tune with this concept that the government had launched a series of welfare programmes and legislative initiatives, especially for the weaker sections.

"Inclusive growth is the policy of the UPA. We want everyone to march together to make a new India. No one should be left behind or sidelined on account of religion, class, caste or creed," Gandhi said while launching a scheme of the Kerala government providing land to all landless families.

She said the UPA was committed to carry forward the legacy of former premiers Indira Gandhi and Rajiv Gandhi to build the modern India based on the principle of social justice by providing basic facilities to every one.

Gandhi said the UPA under Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's leadership had introduced a host of welfare schemes including the Food Security legislation with this goal in mind.

Other measures also included RTI, land acquisition rehabilitation bill, right to education and rights of tribal act, rural employment guarantee scheme and Prime Minister's Gram Sadak Yojana.

Praising the Oommen Chandy government for its welfare initiatives, she said the "zero landless programme" unveiled today was in harmony with the UPA's social security measures and would receive total support of the Centre.

"Citizens become happy only when they have a piece of land and a house. A happy citizen is better equipped to face challenges of everyday." Programmes like this demonstrated that the UDF Government is "responsive, compassionate and meets the aspirations of the people."

"The UDF government has done a stellar job in implementing the flagship programmes of the UPA. I believe that the programme (zero land less scheme) focuses on providing land to the landless, mostly weaker sections such as SC-ST, destitute, handicapped and persons suffering from chronic illnesses."

She noted that it was significant that the UDF government come out with such a courageous measure to provide land for all despite severe pressure on land due to increase in population and urbanisation.