Fifty years after the independence there can be no alibi for not providing basic amenities to every citizen.

Cause : a person or thing that gives rise to an action, phenomenon, or condition.
Plea : a claim that a circumstance means that one should not be blamed for or should not be forced to do something.
Factor : a circumstance, fact, or influence that contributes to a result.
Reason : a cause, explanation, or justification for an action or event.
Alibi : an excuse or pretext.

Synonym of Alibi is Plea