Lucknow: Cocking a snook at critics of Chief
Minister Mayawati, Uttar Pradesh government will spend Rs 490
crore more for setting up parks and memorials for Dalit icons,
nearly 10 per cent of the supplementary budget passed by the
state assembly today amid uproarious scenes.
Of the Rs 490 crore, an amount of Rs 409.41 crore has
been earmarked by the Mayawati government for Kanshi Ram Green
Eco garden coming up at the Jail Road in the state capital.
The supplementary demands for grants totals Rs 5461.72
crore. In the regular budget presented on February 4, the
government had made a provision of over Rs 700 crore for
statues, parks and memorials in grants of different
departments.
The House passed the demands by voice vote after the BJP
and the Congress staged walkouts demanding a discussion on the
provision relating to grants for setting up parks and upkeep
of memorials in the name of Kanshi Ram and other Dalit
leaders.
With Samajwadi Party members storming the well over a
different issue, the supplementary demands were passed amid
uproarious scenes.
The supplementary demands was presented by the government
yesterday in the Vidhan Sabha.
A provision of over Rs 82 crore was also made for the
upkeep of Kanshi Ram Smarak Sthal and Dr Bhim Rao Samajik
Parivartan Sthal.
Later talking to reporters, Congress Legislature Party
Leader Pramod Tewari alleged the BSP government was indulging
in gross financial indiscipline.
This had forced it to bring the supplementary demands
just four months after the annual budget, he said, adding this
would further burden the common man.
BJP leader Satish Mahana said the Mayawati government
had enough money for parks and memorials but nothing for the
common man.
The BJP members wanted to speak on the matter but could
not do so as bedlam prevailed in the House and decided to
stage a walkout, he said.
PTI
