PRIYANKA WRITES TO YOGI, SEEKS RELIEF IN TAXES, FEES

LUCKNOW : Congress general secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra has urged chief minister Yogi Adityanath to not go for the proposed hike in power tariff and demanded a relief package for traders, shopkeepers, education institutions and others.

“Uttar Pradesh’s people are already upset with increased power tariff and smart meters. The people should get some relief in their electricity bills during this period of crisis. There are, however, reports of proposed increase in power tariff once again. Please don’t increase the power tariff by a single paisa,” said Priyanka in her letter to Yogi dated May 20.

In recent months, the Congress leader has sent many letters to the chief minister raising the issues of her concern and making suggestions about providing relief to people in fight against the pandemic in UP.

Referring to how the second wave of Covid had affected the people, Priyanka said they had to face unbearable pain due to lackadaisical preparations.

“The hue and cry raised in April-May has made it clear that the government had no planning. A number of unnecessary rules and red-tapism caused lots of problems to the people. The pandemic has taken away thousands/lakhs of people from us. On the other hand, it has caused problems of jobs, work and trade,” she said.

She suggested relief in taxes and fees for traders and shopkeepers.

“The state government should hold a meeting with representatives of schools and guardians to work out a proposal to give relief in payment of fees and financial help to schools,” she said. “There have been a lot of complaints about the private hospitals extracting large sums for treatment of people... I request you to sit with representatives of private hospitals to fix rates in accordance with the facilities given by them... The state government should give compensation to those who have been charged large sums,” she said while pointing out that many private hospitals too had done exemplary work.