Lucknownama

BJP MLA from Shahjahanpur Suresh Kumar Khanna requested the government to increase the salary of MLAs,saying their condition is so miserable that they cant even offer a cup of tea to a visitor.

Buck stops at a cup of tea

BJP MLA from Shahjahanpur Suresh Kumar Khanna requested the government to increase the salary of MLAs,saying their condition is so miserable that they cant even offer a cup of tea to a visitor. Khanna owns immovable and movable assets worth Rs 45.73 lakh,according to the affidavit he submitted to the Election Commission at the time of contesting the election in 2012. His income tax return showed an annual income of Rs 3.59 lakh in 2010-11 but now,like any other MLA,he gets Rs 57,500 every month. In the election,he spent around Rs 7 lakh and used a helicopter for canvassing. The per capita annual income in the state in 2011 was Rs 26,051.

Brushing up debating skills

BSP MLAs who usually kept quiet in the Assembly during the Mayawati government are now making full use of the session to hone their debating skills. They gather in the office of Leader of Opposition Swami Prasad Maurya in the morning and also for lunch and use the time to prepare for their debates and questions. Maurya not just helps them on the issues they can raise,but also tells them the kind of language they should use in order to be effective and grab attention. The evidence of their preparedness was provided by Maurya himself on Friday. As soon as the proceedings started,Maurya stood up and spoke on the issues of women,using the occasion of International Womens Day.

Lobbying for woman power

Congress leader Pramod Tiwari also used the occasion of International Womens Day to point out that there is no woman minister in the cabinet,and to demand that there should be at least one woman in the cabinet. With Congress in the opposition,the SP leaders were left wondering for whom was Tiwari lobbying? Was someone within the ruling party tying to build up pressure via the Congress? For the record,the only woman minister in UP is Minister of State for Culture Arun Kumari Kori.

Keeping the distance

Last month,Agriculture Minister Anand Singh and his junior Rajeev Kumar Singh were locked in a war of words after the latter wrote to Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav,questioning purchase of wheat seeds by the department. That relations between them still remain cold was evident in the Assembly. When Anand Singh rose to present the demands of his ministry,Rajeev Kumar sat three rows behind,prompting a BJP member to remark: At least on an occasion like this,the two ministers should sit together.

Delivery Delayed

Dutichandra of Orissa was one of the eight athletes whom Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav presented Nano cars for outstanding performance at the national school athletics championship at Saifai on February 2. Since Dutichandra said he could not drive the car all the way to Orissa,he was assured that his car would be delivered through a dealer in his home district. More than a month passed,but Dutichandra did not get his car. He called up officials in Etawah who,in turn,apprised senior officers in Lucknow. The company was contacted. Now they have promised to make the delivery in a few days. One hopes Dutichandras wait will end soon.

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Lucknownama

BJP MLA from Shahjahanpur Suresh Kumar Khanna requested the government to increase the salary of MLAs,saying their condition is so miserable that they cant even offer a cup of tea to a visitor.

BJP MLA from Shahjahanpur Suresh Kumar Khanna requested the government to increase the salary of MLAs,saying their condition is so miserable that they cant even offer a cup of tea to a visitor.