Congress chief Sonia Gandhi visited several villages and took stock of implementation of centrally-sponsored schemes in Raebareli on the opening day of her three-day tour to her parliamentary constituency. After landing at the Amausi airport in Lucknow,Gandhi headed towards her Lok Sabha constituency where she held village meetings listening to grievances of the locals. At Gauravi Ka Purwa in Kumbhi,Gandhi,sitting on a cot,enquired from villagers about the implementation of Mahatama Gandhi NREGA,old-age pension,rural electrification and other schemes. She also listened to grievances of the villagers and directed officials accompanying her to address their problems. When a villager told her that he had a job card but was not paid money,Gandhi directed the Block Development Officer to look into the matter. At Beju Pasi's house,the Congress president was told that despite dry canal for the past four years,the villagers were getting electricity bills. They also highlighted their local problems. In the same village,Uggu Pasi's wife took Gandhi to her house and sought help for the marriage of her two daughters. She also met other villagers and tried to feel the pulse of development works initiated by her and the Centre in her constituency. In village Barkheda,Gandhi paid obeisance at the famous Barkhendeshwar temple and directed the officials to ensure construction of roads leading to the shrine. Gandhi's cavalcade also stopped at Harlaur where she met and interacted with students of a madarsa. As Sonia criss-crossed villages,the SPG personnel stopped mediapersons following her cavalcade at several places.
