Some forces out to hamper growth in U.P., says Akhilesh

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav has criticised attempts to create divisions in society so as to hamper the State’s growth.

“Some forces are trying to divide society and out to hamper development,” he said at a function to launch the Samajwadi Avas Yojana, a housing scheme for the urban poor, at Taj Vivanta on Saturday.

In what appeared to be an attempt to reject the Opposition’s criticism of the measures to help out farmers affected by the unseasonal rains and hailstorm, Mr. Yadav said Rs.1,070 crore had been distributed in relief to the farmers. Besides, a huge sum was given as compensation to the families of the farmers who had died in the unseasonal rains.

He said the State took the lead in assisting the Indian government in mounting relief for the Nepal earthquake victims.

He expressed the hope that the houses under the scheme would be built in a year and a half. He laid the foundation for 20,000 houses and distributed certificates to registered private developers.

An amount of Rs. 3.50 lakh would be given to the beneficiaries.

Taking a swipe at previous Bahujan Samaj Party Government, Mr. Yadav said during the recent tremors in Lucknow, the people, including the Samajwadi Party’s opponents, sought refuge in the Ram Manohar Lohia Park (developed by the Mulayam Singh Government in 2004-05). “They never went to the park built of stones, situated near the Lohia Park,” Mr. Yadav said in reference to the Ambedkar Memorial in Gomtinagar.

On the poor getting the benefits of the Affordable Housing Policy of the Government, the Chief Minister said the Samajwadi Avas Yojana would enable the poor and the middle class beneficiaries to own a house in their lifetime. “The dream of the poor to possess a house would be fulfilled,” the Chief Minister said.

Mr. Yadav defended the name of the scheme, explaining that the word ‘Samajwad’ would be easy to pronounce. “The word ‘Samajwad’ [socialist] is mentioned in the Preamble to the Constitution,” he said.

The Chief Minister said construction activity has increased as a result of the increase in urban population, the demand for houses will go up on account of developmental activities. Mr. Yadav laid stress on planned development of the State even as he mentioned the number of schemes launched in Lucknow and Agra and the infrastructure schemes related to highways and power.