Dungarpur (Rajasthan), April 3 (ANI): Congress President Sonia Gandhi on Thursday said the UPA Government is committed to improving the lot of the common man, and added that its policies was reflected in the recently announced loan waiver of 60,000 crores for farmers.

Addressing tribals in Baneshwar in Rajasthan's Durgarpur District, Gandhi said the UPA Government has launched various public welfare schemes.

Gandhi's visit to Rajasthan, a first trip to any tribal area since the passage of the Tribal Rights Bill, is being viewed as a preparatory visit for State Assembly elections to be held later this year.

During her visit, Sonia met tribals, especially women, who have been given jobs under the UPA's much vaunted National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (NREGS).

State Congress president C.P. Joshi was quoted as saying that Gandhi's trip to Rajasthan should be seen as crucial, as it was aimed at instilling fresh confidence in the tribal community by briefing them about the new initiatives of the UPA Government. This included guarantee of rural employment and granting of old age pension.

Sonia Gandhi last visited Rajasthan in August 2006. She went to the towns of Kawas and Malwa in Barmer district to offer relief to flood victims. Thursday's rally saw tribals from the districts of Udaipur, Dungarpur, Banswara, Chittorgarh, Udaipur, Rajasamand and Pratapgarh in attendance. (ANI)