Bundelkhand gets special package of Rs 7,266 cr

Congress general secretary Rahul Gandhi's plans for development of Bundelkhand today received the nod of the government which announced a special package of Rs 7,266 crore for development of the drought-hit region that spans across Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh.

However, the government desisted from creating a special authority for the purpose as had been sought by Rahul, apparently keeping in view the sensitivities of Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh governments.

Instead, the Cabinet, which cleared the drought- mitigation package, decided to set up a monitoring group that would be chaired and co-chaired by Planning Commission members in-charge of Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh and include chief secretaries of the two states.

The package for three years is aimed at optimisation of water resources through rainwater harvesting and through proper utilisation of river systems in seven districts of Uttar Pradesh and six districts of Madhya Pradesh, Information and Broadcasting Minister Ambika Soni told reporters after the Cabinet meeting chaired by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh.

Rahul had visited the region last year and later led a delegation of senior party leaders of the two states to the prime minister sometime ago demanding a special package for the drought-hit region.

Asked whether Rahul's demand for creation of a special authority has been turned down, Soni said, "The question of authority probably is not being felt since both the states have been authorised to decide in the areas pertaining to Bundelkhand for development."