AC at Maurya’s chaupal: Official suspended
ALLAHABAD/LUCKNOW: Deputy chief minister Keshav Prasad Maurya promised action against officials responsible for laxities brought to light by villagers largely in implementation of government welfare schemes during a chaupal held in Piyeri Bijlipur village of Kaudihar block on Saturday evening.
Maurya also ordered suspension of executive engineer Ashok Kumar for arranging an AC to make his night halt in the village comfortable. “Action has been ordered because Mauryaji had specifically said that no VIP treatment should be extended to him during his night halt,” an aide of deputy chief minster said.
Starting at around 6:30pm, the chaupal lasted over two hours
during which villagers voiced their woes. The complaints largely pertained to Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana, Pradhan Mantri Sahaj Bijli Har Ghar Yojana and ‘Saubhagya’ Yojana. DM Suhas LY, and other senior officials were made to answer the queries of the villagers. Later, Maurya dined at the house of labourer Ramesh Kumar Saroj. As per Ramesh, he wanted provide ‘Puri-Subzi’ for the Deputy CM, but the latter insisted on plain food—dal, vegetable and chapattis. “Food cooked on firewood is tastier and hence arrangements have been made outside our house with fresh ‘chulhas’ on which the food was to be cooked,” said Ramesh’s wife Reeta. After the news that Maurya was to dine at Ramesh’s house became public, the manager of local gas agency provided him free gas connection and even gave lessons to his wife on cooking on a gas stove. Officials also provided free electricity connection to Ramesh.