New Delhi, Feb 18 : Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh today assured Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Mayawati of all possible Central help to promote the development of the State.

"The Central Government will take all necessary steps to promote the development of the State and the welfare of the people of Uttar Pradesh," Dr Singh told Mayawati, who called on him here to discuss issues pertaining to development of the State.

Dr Singh referred to a special group, headed by Planning Commission Member B.K. Chaturvedi, for preparing a road map for rapid economic development of the State.

He assured a special plan for development of the Bundelkhand region and said that the State's energy and connectivity needs would be met.

He said that a Group of Ministers is presently considering the proposal for setting up an International Airport in Gautambudh Nagar District.

Dr. Singh also drew attention to financial allocation made to the State under various Central programmes, including the Bharat Nirman, the National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (NREGS), the National Rural Health Mission (NRHM), the Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan (SSA), the Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewable Mission (JNNURM) and roads, railways and power development projects.

He expressed hope that these programmes will be properly implemented by the State Government.

Under the 11th Plan, Rs. 280,000 crore would be made available to the State. This amount is 3.5 times the resources made available in the 10th Five Year Plan. The Central assistance alone will be over Rs. 80,000 crore during the period.

ANI