LUCKNOW: Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Mulayam Singh Yadav on Thursday held the Centre responsible for the flight of industries from the State.

Speaking in the Assembly, he accused the Centre of creating hurdles to the development of the State. It had given income tax, sales tax and excise relief to Uttaranchal and Himachal Pradesh, while Uttar Pradesh was ignored. As a consequence, industries in Rampur and other areas preferred to sell their products in the neighbouring State.

On the issue of the flight of industries, raised by Pramod Tewari of the Congress during zero hour, Mr. Yadav said the problem would not have arisen had a package, similar to what was given to Uttaranchal and Himachal Pradesh, been offered to Uttar Pradesh. If the Congress supported the State's cause, Uttar Pradesh withsupport from the Centre would emerge as one of the most developed States.

No shortage

In spite of the discrimination, there would be industrial development and there would be no shortage of power. The Kanya Vidya Dhan and unemployment dole schemes were being funded with the State's resources, Mr. Yadav said.

Earlier, Mr. Tewari said though the State received investment proposals worth Rs. 14,000 crore in 2004, Rs. 33,000 crore in 2005 and Rs. 17,000 crore in 2006, there was no significant headway. Several industries, including Telco and Bajaj Limited, set up units in Uttaranchal.

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