U'khand Cong chief to observe fast outside PM's residence

Accusing the Centre of ignoring Uttarakhand's needs, state Congress president Kishore Upadhayay today announced that he will observe a one-day fast on 24 March in front of Prime Minister's residence here to protest the central government's attitude.
The BJP-led Union government has been meting out "step-motherly" treatment to Congress-ruled states, he said and claimed that the Centre has curtailed grants amounting to Rs 4,000 crore approximately which has taken a toll on the growth of the region.
"Since crores of people come to our hill state for 'Char Dham Yatra' and festivals like 'Ardhakumbh Mela', Prime Minister is intentionally ignoring the region as he wants people to get a bad impression of it," Kishore alleged at a press conference.

"The government has also delinked several centrally sponsored schemes like malaria and AIDS control, e-governance etc which has left over 7,000 people jobless. How will the state bridge this huge gap without any financial aid?"
The party is also demanding special status for the state like other Himalayan regions along with special industrial package.
Emphasising that while BJP has made the issue of cleaning Ganga as one of its main campaign, Uttarakhand, from where the river originates, has been ignored.

"We had sent proposal to the Centre on cleaning of Ganga. But it went unnoticed," he said.
The party also pressed for financial aid in order to set up arrangements for 'Ardhkumbh' festival, which will begin early next year.

"The government should think of special budget for carrying out rural cleanliness mission ahead of the festival," Kishore said.
The other demands of the party include reservation in jobs for all residents of Uttarakhand, accept state government proposal of 'green bonus' and natural-calamity related rehabilitation and reconstruction work.