Rudrapur (Uttarakhand): Attacking the BJP government in poll-bound Uttarkhand, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Friday accused it of failing to sincerely implement central schemes and properly utilising funds provided to the state for carrying out developmental activities.

"If the state government had shown sincere interest in implementation of these programmes, the people of the state would have benefited more," Singh said at an election rally here kick-starting his campaign for Congress from Kumaon region.

He claimed that the Congress rule between 2002-2007 had seen a swift pace of development in the hill state.

"The state saw a robust growth in the field of industrial development. IT parks were set up and new power projects were launched during the Congress rule. But it is a matter of regret that as soon as the BJP government took over, all such developmental activities got blocked," he said.

"The BJP government failed to utilise the central funds given to the state under schemes meant for welfare of various sections like women, Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes and minorities.... I have been told that on one hand teachers are sitting on hunger strike for jobs and on the other hand, schools are facing shortage of teachers," he said.

Singh said the UPA government has tried to make the government transparent and accountable.

Describing poverty, illiteracy, health, economic security, environment conservation and national security as the main challenges before the country, Singh appealed to the people of Uttarakhand to vote for Congress on January 30 claiming that only this party has the experience and capability to deal with these issues.

PTI