UPA cheating youths by false job promises: Narendra Modi

Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi has accused the Congress-led UPA government of making false promises to the youth by declaring creation of jobs for them on various occasions.

"See the Congress manifesto, it says we will give jobs to people from each family. In 2009, they said one crore jobs will be given. Has it happened?," Modi asked a gathering, while addressing the Swami Vivekanand Youth Convention at Patan.

Reacting to state Congress unit's announcement that if voted to power they would provide jobs to 10 lakh youth in the state, Modi said, "Why are they cheating youths like this? If someone cheats, we can't forgive him like that. It is not our nature to cheat," he said.

"The government in Delhi is cheating Gujarat youths, while we are bringing industrial development in the state," the chief minister said. "As per Government of India survey estimates, 72% of jobs created in India are coming from Gujarat," Modi said, while asserting his viewpoint.

Advising not to expect much from Delhi, Modi said, "Over 3.5 lakh people have got jobs in our one-decade rule of Gujarat. One lakh more will get jobs. If any youth wishes to start his own venture, the Gujarat government will back as guarantor for their banks loans, if they seek so."

"These are not small decisions. It's not my courage but the faith I have in you. My youngsters would not do wrong I know," Modi said stressing that his government had full faith in the state's youth force. Criticising the Centre for capping the number of cylinders per family to six, Modi said it "lacked vision on the issue".

If the Gujarat government was permitted to lay gas pipelines it would had resulted in saving five crore LPG cylinders, the subsidy burden on the state exchequer would have been considerably brought down, said Modi. Alleging the Centre of delaying expansion of state gas grid network by banning laying of gas pipelines two years ago "thinking Modi's clout will grow"," he said the move could have let people avail cheaper LPG.

Comparing the Centre and state's policy on LPG, Modi said, "They decided to give six gas cylinders per family as the subsidy burden falls heavy, but we laid 2,200 km pipeline network at a cost of Rs10,000 crore and provided cheap gas to seven lakh households, a first of its kind initiative in India."

Gujarat goes to polls later this year.