Union minister counters UP govt's water train argument

Amid a war of words between the Centre and Uttar Pradesh government over sending water train to drought-hit Bundelkhand, Union Minister Ramkripal Yadav today said the most populous state had funds at its disposal which it could spend for transportation of water through 10,000 tankers.
The Uttar Pradesh government had around Rs 416 crore, out of which it could spend 25 per cent (around Rs 82 crore) to meet the cost of hiring 10,000 tankers for transportation of water, Yadav told PTI.
The Union Minister of State for Drinking Water's reactions came a day after the UP government sent back the water train offered by the Centre for drought-hit Bundelkhand region in the state.

The UP government, however, requested the Centre to provide it 10,000 tankers for distributing water in the region.
"Akhilesh Yadav (UP CM) is a sensitive Chief Minister. Hence he should not waste time in political blame game like RJD president Lalu Prasad did and instead work with the Centre to meet the water need of the people," the Union Minister said.
Ramkripal said that as per estimates, hiring 10,000 tankers for transportation of water would require an expenditure of around Rs 50 crore for the UP government.

"They already have about Rs 82 crore (as per norm that a state can spend 25 per cent of the fund available for meeting such emergency) hence their argument that the Centre should provide tankers instead of train loaded with water is not convincing," he said.

The minister said Bundelkhand region which has six districts are battling shortage of water due to the searing heat.
"This is the time to work together to help people of Bundelkhand solve the problem of water instead of indulging in political one-upmanship," Ramkripal, BJP MP from neighbouring Bihar state said.
He stated Prime Minister Narendra Modi was working sincerely to meet the need of 13 states badly hit by drought situation, including UP, and there was no "political consideration" in sending water train to Bundelkhand.