Budget ignores Bundelkhand region, says Mayawati

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Mayawati, giving a mixed response to the Union Budget...

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Mayawati, giving a mixed response to the Union Budget, on Saturday accused the UPA Government of neglecting the needs of the state.

“I have studied the Budget and have found that it did not have much for backward areas of Bundelkhand and Poorvachal whereas we were hopeful to get some special package for these backwards areas,” she said while addressing mediapersons here on Saturday.

Stressing on her earlier demand of Rs 80,000-crore special relief package for Bundelkhand and Poorvanchal, she said, “I would soon be writing to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh again in this connection.”

Story continues below this ad

She, however, appreciated the loan waiver for farmers but apprehended the future of those who availed loan from private moneylenders. “Over 80 per cent farmers took loan from private lenders,” she said adding that “the Government has also not clarified from where it would get the money for loan waiver”.

Referring to the Budget as a populist move in the wake of elections, Mayawati argued, “If the UPA Government was serious on issues of farmers and backwards, it would have made these announcements immediately after taking over, in its first Budget, rathar than waiting for the election year.”

Permanent posts for sweepers

Keeping up her promise of ensuring employment, Mayawati on Saturday announced that her Government was creating 1,08,000 permanent posts of sweepers for each of the 1.8 lakh revenue villages of the state. A resident of the revenue village concerned and belonging to the Valmiki community would be considered for the job. She added that 88,000 primary teachers were also being appointed in the state.