Accusing Centre of meting out "step-motherly" treatment to Uttarakhand, ruling Congress today said as it asked party workers to reach out to people and expose central government's "anti-Uttarakhand" policies.
"Non-allocation of central funds to Uttarakhand for organising the Ardhakumbh mela despite the proximity of the event is a clear example of the Centre's anti-Uttarakhand policy. We must take this matter to the people of the state by going from one village to another," PradeshCongress Committee President Kishore Upadhyay said.
"Despite repeatedly being requested to sanction funds for the event beginning next month, the Centre which chants relentlessly about 'Namami Gange' has not yet released a single penny for the cleaning of the river on whose ghats the event is held.
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"This shows its step-motherly attitude towards Uttarakhand," he said addressing party workers at a meeting here.
He said chief minister Harish Rawat has written several letters to the Centre and even met Union Minister Arun Jaitley seeking a one-time assistance of Rs 500 crore for the Ardhakumbh mela which witnesses a huge gathering of devotees on the banks of the Ganga in Haridwar.
Noting that the change in funding pattern for Uttarakhand as per recommendations of the 14th Finance Commission has caused huge losses to the state, Upadhyay said is another example of Centre's step-motherly treatment of Uttarakhand.
The Congress state chief also asked party workers to gear up for 'Mission 2017' when the state goes to the polls and strengthen the party at booth level.