Mayawati allocates Rs 490 cr more for Dalit icon parks-11/8/10

11/08/2010

Mayawati allocates Rs 490 cr more for Dalit icon parks

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 on Tuesday 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.

Source: Agencies