The Uttar Pradesh government has decided to boycott a high-level meeting called by the Centre on Tuesday to discuss the development of Bundelkhand through the National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (NREGS).

Apart from Union Minister of State for Rural Development Pradeep Jain, the meeting — to be held in Orchha, in the Madhya Pradesh part of Bundelkhand — will be attended by Principal Secretary to the Prime Minister T K Nair and five secretaries of various Central ministries. However, Uttar Pradesh has decided to stay away, questioning the Centre’s “intentions”.

“We are not against anyone,” says Uttar Pradesh Minister of Rural Development Daddu Prasad. “It is just that the intentions of the Central Government are not clear regarding Bundelkhand. It is difficult to sail with the boatman who does not tell his people about the direction in which he is heading. Moreover, if they were so serious about Bundelkhand, they should have discussed the dates with us in advance.”

Prasad also claimed that it was difficult for Uttar Pradesh to send a representative as there is a Cabinet meeting scheduled on Tuesday.

Bundelkhand has been a bone of contention between the Centre and the Mayawati government, with both accusing each other for the region’s backwardness. Rahul Gandhi’s visits to Bundelkhand hadn’t gone down well with the Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister.

The meeting by the Centre also comes in the backdrop of Rahul’s petition to the Prime Minister for a special package for the region. The meeting will discuss “Inter-sectoral convergence with NREGS for enhancing productivity in Bundelkhand districts”.

... contd.