Sirgamau (Uttar Pradesh), Mar 3 : The people of Sirgamau in Uttar Pradesh said their lives have changed for good after the introduction of various schemes by the Congress-led United Progressive Alliance (UPA).

The village is situated around 68 kilometers from the state capital Lucknow.

The villagers are happy after initiatives like `Grameen Rojgar Guarantee Yojna', which gave them regular employment and payments.

"We are happy. Lot of women labourers have also joined the scheme. We are getting payments on time. What more can anyone need," said Angnu, a labourer.

The programmes have been introduced with the help of village council.

In order to meet the needs of rural India, the UPA government has launched various schemes including rural housing, Indira Awaas Yojana, employment assurance scheme, scheme for land development and self help groups.

"We have been benefited a lot. We have been given houses, sanitation, drainage facility and good roads. There was a time when all the roads would be flooded after the rains but now even cars can move around in the roads after the rains," said Arjun, head of village council.

The rural job scheme aimed at tackling the problem of rural unemployment has also encouraged traditional handicraft industries, like textile weaving and bamboo work.
(ANI)