CM inducts Jaya Prada into UPFDC

Days after Rajya Sabha member Amar Singh hinted at quitting the party alleging he and his protege Jaya Prada were being humiliated in SP, the actress-turned-politician was appointed senior deputy chairperson of UPFDC, on Saturday.

Confirming Jaya Prada’s appointment to Uttar Pradesh Film Development Council (UPFDC), a senior government official said the former MP was likely to get cabinet minister rank.

Under the Akhilesh Yadav government, several measures have been introduced for film development and promotion, including subsidy to producers for shooting a film in UP and entertainment tax waivers.

UPFDC is an advisory body which suggests ways and means to the state government to promote film production in the state.

Eminent poet Gopal Das ‘Neeraj’ is the chairman of the council. Jaya Prada’s appointment is likely to pacify Amar Singh who had said early this week in Delhi that Jaya Prada was not being given a position in UPFDC. He said even the chief minister was not giving him due respect and was not taking his calls.

Before her expulsion from the SP in 2010, Jaya Prada was the Lok Sabha member from Rampur. Amar Singh’s threat came soon after a similar stand taken by Shivpal Yadav, a senior UP minister and brother of SP chief Mulayam, which further rattled the party. Amar Singh’s threat was also interpreted as an expression of solidarity with Shivpal as both have come closer recently.