Petroleum prices are likely to be reduced soon, a step that will help bring down inflation rate further, "The prices of petroleum products have decreased recently and I expect that soon they will dip further," .With international crude prices continuing to drop, there is speculation that government may slash petrol prices by Rs 5 per litre.

"When the world was reeling under recession, India was bound to be affected. But the UPA government has been very alert," she said, adding that there has been no reduction in bank loans to small industries, agriculture, rural development and infrastructure sectors.

The Congress president said that the rail coach factory will be a milestone in the development of UP and it would provide employment opportunities to 8,000-10,000 people.

Assuring that the factory would be eco-friendly, she said, "All required measures will be taken to make the unit pollution free. It will be a world-class modern unit and people would not feel any environmental changes once the factory is set up".

The Centre launched schemes and projects keeping in mind all sections of society, she said. "As our main focus is on development, we bring new schemes and projects. This will not only contribute in the development of UP, but the country as a whole," she said.