In his first formal meeting with the Prime Minister since taking over as Chief Minister, Yadav, accompanied by senior officials and ministers, discussed his policies and programmes for Uttar Pradesh and the help he needed for implementing his schemes and ideas.
"We have not demanded any package for the state. It was a good meeting with the Prime Minister. A host of issues related to Uttar Pradesh, including MNREGA, roads, problems related to coal shortage, the Kumbh Mela to be held soon and the Ganga cleaning project were discussed," Yadav told reporters after the meeting which lasted over an hour.
Yadav said he has sought the Centre`s help, including sanctioning of requisite funds, to UP government. "The Prime Minister has assured us that funds will be sent for all the schemes being implemented in the state," he said. The Prime Minister`s Office spoke on similar lines through a statement on Twitter, saying the UP Chief Minister discussed development schemes with Singh.
"PM Manmohan Singh assured `all central help that is due to UP for its development` when CM Akhilesh Yadav raised the issue of Centre`s aid," the PMO said. Yadav told the Prime Minister that his government will speed up all on-going welfare schemes in education, infrastructure and employment in UP. The Chief Minister also discussed the forthcoming Kumbh festival, cleaning of the Ganga and coal supply to the state.