Anantpur (Andhra Pradesh), Sept 11 : Sonia Gandhi, United Progressive Alliance (UPA) chairperson and leader of the Congress Party, today said that the 123 agreement would accelerate India’s pace of development.

Gandhi, while addressing a huge gathering in Anantpur District of Andhra Pradesh on Thursday, said “Nuclear energy is important for the country for producing more electricity and meeting the demands of its billion plus population.”

Tirupati, Sep 11 : Congress president Sonia Gandhi today praised the Andhra Pradesh government for taking the lead in women’s empowerment in the country.

She said the performance of the state government to empower women was not only admired by the rest of the country but had also aroused curiosity abroad.

“During my visit to other countries, I am often asked by women leaders about the programmes taken up by the Andhra Pradesh government,” she said while interacting with members of self-help groups (SHGs) and women beneficiaries of the National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (NREGS).

Bikaner, Sept 8 : Congress president Sonia Gandhi today inaugurated Rajasthan’s first lignite ‘opencast’ mine of a total capacity of 2.1 million tonnes in Barsingsar village in Bikaner district. The lignite mine has been set up by “Mini Ratna” Neyveli Lignite Corporation (NLC) Limited.

The lignite mine will produce 250 Megawatts of power, 2190 million units of electricity per year, through two units of thermal power plant, of 125 MW each. While the first unit of the plant will be commissioned in December, the second would start functioning in March next year.

Jaipur, Sep 8 : Congress pres

Bangalore, Sept.