Varanasi: Samajwadi Party today caviled at Prime Minister Narendra Modi's decision to distribute cycle- rickshaws during his visit here, saying such a move will promote the "inhuman practice" of pulling a rickshaw, which the ruling party has always objected to.
"Socialist Ram Manohar Lohia was always against the practice of pulling a rickshaw, which is a complete inhuman activity. Our senior leader Azam Khan had two days back in Varanasi said the Prime Minister shouldn't promote this," SP leader Manoj Rai Dhoopchandi said.
"So, we appeal to the Prime Minister to immediately rollback his decision to distribute cycle-rickshaw.
"Also, he shouldn't distribute e-rickshaws on loan as it would put more burden on poor rickshaw pullers. Instead, these could be given free," he said.
The SP leader also said the Prime Minister should assure contractual teachers justice when he will meet them here tomorrow.
The teachers are upset over the recent Allahabad High Court judgment canceling the regularization of their service.
Earlier, District Magistrate Rajmani Yadav said a PMO communique last night informed that the Prime Minister would meet the protesting contractual teachers tomorrow. ?
Modi will be on a day-long visit to his Lok Sabha constituency tomorrow during which he is likely to launch important schemes relating to power and road sectors, inaugurate a trauma centre inside Banaras Hindu University premises, and address a public meeting.
The Prime Minister will also distribute e-rickshaws, tricycles and benefits under "Jan Dhan Yojana" to more than 600 people.
