Ghaziabad, Sep 13 (UNI) Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Mulayam Singh Yadav, who is gearing up to face Assembly elections next year, today announced two sets of saris each for women of the families living Below Poverty Line (BPL) and Rs 20,000 for girls opting for higher education.

Mr Yadav asked students facing financial obstacle in pursuing their studies to write to him directly for help.

He said girls who are pursuing studies after 12th standard would be eligible for help.

He was speaking after dedicating the Lohia Park to the public here.

Mr Yadav said if his party came to power after elections, he would raise unemployment allowance from Rs 500 to Rs 1000.

He dismissed allegations that he was giving these allowances with an eye on votes of youth in the coming elections.

''Would anyone tell how can the money to be given to girls for education be used for such purposes,'' he added.

Stating his government was committed to taking the youth on the path of progess, he claimed that during the tenure of his government, eight lakh youths were given jobs.

He also said that Uttar Pradesh was the first state of the country where education till 12th standard and treatment in government hospital had been made free.

Mr Yadav also sought to point out that all farmers in the state had been paid their sugarcane dues and a total of Rs 18,000 crore has been spent to clear them.

He said his government was working on the moto of Dr Ram Manohar Lohia--''Food and clothing should be within reach of the poor and education and treatment free.'' UNI NAZ MSJ VA R1542