White paper tilted more against Akhilesh govt than Maya regime

SCRUTINY It refers to previous regime’s lack of coordination with the Modi government, says nothing much was done for minority welfare

LUCKNOW : A close scrutiny of the Yogi Adityanath government’s ‘White Paper 2017’ reveals that it is more tilted against Akhilesh Yadav’s Samajwadi Party led government than the Mulayam Singh Yadav led SP government or the Mayawati led BSP government that were in power for a total of 15 years put together. The 24-page document focuses on acts of commission and omission of the non-BJP governments.

First, the white paper referred to the lack of coordination between the Akhilesh Yadav government and Modi government at the centre.

“Lack of coordination with the union government resulted in the state government’s launching of new schemes that were identical to the central schemes. This put an additional burden on the state’s exchequer,” says the white paper. It does not mention the lack of coordination between the Mayawati government and the UPA government on a variety of issues.

The white paper has given details of the inquiries ordered by the Yogi Adityanath government with specific reference to a vigilance probe into irregularities in examinations conducted by the Uttar Pradesh Subordinate Services Selection Commission from June 2014 to March 2017. It also refers to CBI probe recommended into irregularities in appointments by UPPSC from April 1, 2012 to March 31, 2017. The white paper, however, remains silent on the CM’s announcement that if necessary a CBI inquiry will be recommended into BSP government’s decision of selling 21 sugar mills.

A special section ‘construction of monuments’ has been incorporated in the white paper and a specific reference to the CAG report on the issue has been made. The total cost of the project went up from Rs 943.73 crore to Rs 4558.01 crore, an escalation of 483%. No mention has been made about the inquiry that Yogi government may order into the issue. Replying to a question about the lokayukta report on the issue, the chief minister said all these reports were tabled in the House. The committees will examine these reports and appropriate action will be taken thereafter, said Adityanath.

The white paper has targeted the SP government for using only Rs 4,830 crore against Rs 13,804 crore provided for in the state budget from 2012-13 to 2016-17.“The amount that could have been used for benefit of persons of minority communities remained unused,” said the white paper.

LION SAFARI

A special mention has been made about the Lion Safari project of Etawah. “A large chunk of government funds was wasted on setting up Lion Safari in Etawah, ignoring the ecological conditions prevailing there. This led to deaths of many lion cubs... This scheme proved a flop due to faulty policies and planning,” the white paper said.

THE WHITE PAPER HAS TARGETED THE SP GOVERNMENT FOR USING ONLY RS 4,830 CRORE AGAINST RS 13,804 CRORE PROVIDED FOR IN THE STATE BUDGET FROM 201213 TO 201617