Punia slams UP govt for laxity in implementing Food scheme

The chairman of National Commission for Scheduled Castes has criticised the Uttar Pradesh government for its alleged laxity in taking steps to implement the Food Security scheme.
"I would like to question the intention of the UP government. It has not even issued instructions for preparation of the list of beneficiaries though it has been saying that it requires time for implementing it," Punia told reporters here.
"When the governments of Delhi, Rajasthan, Haryana, Uttarakhand and Andhra Pradesh can implement the scheme, why not UP," he said, adding that all the funds for it are being provided by the Centre.

To a question, the NCSC chairman, also a Congress MP, claimed that Samajwadi Party, which is planning to take out yatras for inclusion of 17 backward castes among the SCs, was not thinking about the welfare of Dalits.
On being asked about some SP leaders calling for review of the party's support to the UPA, he said anyone deciding to do so cannot be stopped, but the cause for which it had extended support was more relevant today "with communal forces spreading venom in society".
When asked about Congress Vice President Rahul Gandhi's assertions that former UP chief minister Mayawati did not allow Dalit leadership to emerge, he agreed and said even the BSP chief would not be able to name the second line Dalit leadership in her party.