Centre unresilient on drought funds -- Malviya
PRESS TRUST OF INDIA

DEC 16: The ruling Congress Party President in Madhya Pradesh, Radhakishan Malviya today alleged that the Centre was not helping in tackling the severe drought conditions prevailing in most parts of the state.

Talking to reporters here at the press club, Malviya alleged that the Centre has not shown any `positive interest' towards its demand for financial assistance to tackle the drought.

He said that he along with the Chief Minister, Digvijay Singh, has already met up with the Prime Minister, Atal Bihari Vajpayee in this regard and urged him to delay the recovery of Rs. 140 crore towards the payment of certain taxes in the centre's pool till July.

To a query, he said the total vote-share of the party has increased by 4.5 per cent. In local bodies polls, the Congress party's success rate was nearly 70-80 percent, informed the Chif Minister, adding that the party was unable to gain enough strength in urban areas.

About his priorities, he said grassroot workers would be given importance in the party along with those belonging to SC, ST and backward classes.

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