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Khanduri blames Centre for wheat, power crisis

Dehra Dun: Uttarakhand Chief Minister B.C. Khanduri on Tuesday alleged that Congress-led UPA Government at Centre was discriminating against the State by blocking power supply and sharply lowering the quota of food grain.

“I am not saying it is mischievous. But certainly, it is the wrong attitude of the Centre toward Uttarakhand. It has triggered the wheat and power crisis in the State,” Mr. Khanduri told reporters unveiling the achievements of his 11-month-old government ahead of the crucial February 24 Pauri Lok Sabha by-election.

The Congress has been alleging that the State Government failed to make provisions for “power banking”, the arrangement with the Centre under which the State gives its surplus power during the peak production time and takes it back when it requires. Mr. Khanduri, however, said, “We may have failed on one point but that does not mean that you (Centre) stop giving power to Utarakhand.”

He alleged that the Centre shut down the ONGC’s gas plant without giving prior notice which in turn triggered acute power crisis in the State. “The private power companies on which we were relying are not getting gas supply and hence they are not producing power,” he said.

Mr. Khanduri also alleged that the Centre lowered the wheat quota for the state from 18470 metric tonnes to 1566 metric tonnes. “I wrote several letters to (Union Agriculture Minister) Sharad Pawar and personally met him but no action has come,” The Chief Minister said.

Mr. Khanduri also sought extension of the Industrial package till 2013. “The package was meant for 10-year period. It was the UPA Government which reduced it to seven years.” He also accused the Congress of taking support of all those people who were responsible for killing the Statehood activists. “We don’t want support of such people to facilitate the victory of our candidate from Pauri,” he said.

From Pauri, BJP’s T.P.S. Rawat is pitted against Congress’ Satpal Maharaj. -- PTI

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Khanduri blames Centre for wheat, power crisis

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