Development projects to curb Naxal menace: Akhilesh Yadav

VARANASI: Development projects will be introduced in Naxal-affected areas of Uttar Pradesh to curb the menace and help in the state's progress, Chief Minister AkhileshYadav said today.

The policies being formulated by the government are inclusive and aimed at bringing together various sections of society, Yadav said at a laptop distribution ceremony here.

The chief minister blamed the previous BSP government for electricity shortage plaguing the state. "The electricity department had losses amounting to Rs 25,000 crore when the SP government had assumed power in the state," he said.

The former BSP government did not take any steps to increase electricity production in the state or provide electrical equipment like transformers, he said.

Efforts are being made to increase the electricity production in the state and improve the supply and distribution network, he said.

Work is on progress for solar energy projects in the state, he said.

On being asked about development projects in Varanasi, he said work will soon begin on roads, bridges and flyovers.

The government will also provide help to Benarasi sari weavers in setting up haats or weekly markets. Two new bridges will soon be approved for the hub of carpet industry at Badohi, he said.