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Journalism of Courage
LUCKNOW, NOV 14: The Uttar Pradesh Government has started a probe into the alleged misuse of money in the construction of Ambedkar Park, one of Mayawati8217;s dream projects during her tenure. The Chairman of Greater NOIDA, George Joseph, heads the inquiry, which began on Wednesday.
The panel may have a hard time digging up evidence to back the charges as a number of files concerning the Lucknow park are said to be missing from the office of the Lucknow Development Authority LDA, which is overseeing the construction. LDA officials are allegedly uncomfortable at the idea of a probe. Frequent changes had been made in the original layout of the park on mere 8220;verbal orders8221; of Mayawati, who used to visit the place almost every alternate day during her tenure. These alterations have escalated the park8217;s construction cost from estimated Rs 10 crore to Rs 83.40 crore.
Mayawati, however, has put the ball in the court of BJP ministers Lalji Tandon and Kalraj Mishra, and LDA officials. According to her, 8220;The construction of the park was being looked after by the Urban Development Department and the PWD, portfolios held by the two BJP Ministers. How do I come into the picture? Moreover, the decision was taken during the Cabinet meeting in which all BJP Ministers were present.8221;
