Guv highlights govt work, zero tolerance for crime
LUCKNOW : A walkout and brief slogan-shouting by the entire Opposition marked the beginning of the budget session of the state legislature here on Thursday. Addressing a joint sitting of both Houses, governor Anandiben Patel highlighted the state government’s achievements and said it was adopting a “zero tolerance” policy towards crime to “strengthen” law and order on priority to instill a “sense of security” among the people of Uttar Pradesh.
“Notorious mafia and criminals of the state have been identified and effective lawful action is being taken against them,” said Patel.
The governor said as a result of the efforts made for the security of women, crime against women was declining. She listed the action taken in 2020, including 68,12,310 cases under Cow Slaughter, Essential Commodities and other Acts; 82,520 under the Excise Act, 33,537 under the Goonda Act and 220 under the National Security Act (NSA).
As the governor began reading out her 45-page address, which was completed in about 40 minutes, an apparently agitated Opposition left the Rajarshi Purushottam Das Tandon Hall of the state assembly within minutes, displaying placards and shouting slogans, demanding withdrawal of the Centre’s three new farm laws.
Much could not be heard in the din as the Opposition members walked out of the House. Some of them raised “go back” slogans. Many placards focused on demands to “stop atrocities being perpetrated against Dalits, backward classes and minorities” and “take back increase in prices of petrol and diesel”.
“The governor probably did not want to read out the address focusing on the state government’s policies. This is why she came late to the assembly hall by nearly six minutes. This is the reason we have staged a walkout,” said leader of Opposition Ram Govind Chaudhary (Samajwadi Party).
However, minister for industry Satish Mahana said the time
was not favouring them and hence they see such things.
Chaudhary repeated his claim in the state assembly when the speaker placed the governor’s address in the House at 12.30pm. The Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) and the Congress leaders echoed similar sentiments. Congress Legislature Party (CLP) leader Aradhna Mishra said the government was not sensitive towards the problems of the farmers and her party staged a walkout to draw attention towards the issue.
The governor also used the occasion to refer to the Ram temple issue in her address, saying, “My government accomplished the successful inauguration of the construction of a grand temple at the birthplace of Shri Ram in Ayodhya by honourable Prime Minister in presence of revered saints and other dignitaries during the corona period.”
Her address also focused on efforts being made by state government to provide jobs to the youth and said, “More than seven lakh youths have been trained through Uttar Pradesh Skill Development Mission while more than three lakh youths have been successful in connecting them with employment. New State Industrial Training Institutes are being set up in 35 unserved assembly constituencies of the state.”
Referring to efforts for accommodation to the members, she said a 10-storey building had been approved in Darulshafa (in Lucknow) while a 73-room guesthouse had been completed at the Butler Palace Colony. A third guesthouse with 32 rooms had also been completed, she said. “I have full faith that all the members will contribute their immense value in fulfilling the people’s aspirations by supporting my government in the interest of the public of the state and will maintain high dignity and sanctity of the House,” the governor said.