The Hindu : National : Abysmal economic growth in Gujarat, says Congress

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Sunday, Dec 09, 2007
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Abysmal economic growth in Gujarat, says Congress

Special Correspondent

NEW DELHI: The Congress on Saturday alleged that Gujarat under Narendra Modi had experienced abysmal economic growth on several parameters.

“Why did the Chief Minister create a special district for tribals on the eve of elections and not during seven years of his rule,” Congress spokesman Abhishek Singhvi asked at a press conference here.

Of the Rs. 119.26 crore released under the National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme, the State utilised only 50 per cent. Diesel was costlier in the State by Rs. 3 a litre than in other States. The price of groundnut oil had increased in the State from Rs. 700 to Rs. 1,200 a pack, while onions were up from Rs. 12 - 14 to Rs. 25 a kg within 10 months.

Power generation

Power generation was “abysmal” with the rural sector receiving only seven to eight hours of supply every day. The growth rate of power generation was only 18.69 per cent against the national average of 43.75 per cent.

Mr. Singhvi pointed out that Maharashtra attracted FDI inflows worth Rs. 35,757 crore for various projects, while Gujarat could manage only Rs. 13,289 crore between 1997 and 2005.

Of the Rs. 452 crore released by the Centre for education, the State spent Rs. 408.19 crore. “Funds were diverted from the Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan to other schemes such as the Gujarat State Disaster Management.”

In 289 schools, there was no teacher and in 1,958 schools there was only one teacher.

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