Free water scheme in UP did not get publicity: Akhilesh Yadav

Uttar Pradesh CM Akhilesh Yadav said his government`s free water scheme for farmers did not attract enough publicity while Delhi government`s decision became international news.

Hardoi: Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav on Sunday said his government`s free water scheme for farmers did not attract enough publicity while Delhi government`s decision to provide 700 litres of water free per month became international news. "Delhi government making 700 litres water free became international news but the news of UP making water to farmers free did not get enough importance," Yadav said, addressing party workers here at government inter-college.

Yadav, whose party had made an election promise of providing free laptops to children, said that Gujarat government cannot distribute in five years as many laptops distributed by his government. The Chief Minister announced plans to launch 102 ambulance service providing free transport for mothers to and from hospital up to a year after delivery. On the power front, Yadav said that plans were afoot for providing 18-hour supply in rural and 20-hour supply in cities per day by 2016. Speaking on the occasion, SP national general secretary Naresh Agarwal alleged that Congress and BJP had a pact in not tabling the Communal Violence Bill in Parliament. He asked the Congress-led UPA government to bring the bill in Parliament, and assured that SP would extend all help in its passage.