The Uttar Pradesh Government has formally complained to the Gujarat government protesting the removal of around 100 “'U.P. Rising” hoardings featuring Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav and his government's achievements that were put up in Ahmedabad ahead of the Pravasi Bharatiya Diwas (PBD) that began on Wednesday.
Terming the move as “illegal” as proper agreement was signed with an authorised agency for putting up hoardings and billboards on the stretch between the Ahmedabad airport and the PBD venue, the Uttar Pradesh Government has said it was breach of trust, particularly when Uttar Pradesh is partner State in this year’s PBD.
Clarification
U.P. Principal Secretary (Information) Navneet Sehgal has written to his Gujarat counterpart seeking clarification on the Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation action ordering removal of publicity materials highlighting development initiatives of the State and asked them to rectify the mistake at the earliest.
“The agency involved in preparing posters had due permission from the civic body (till January 15)...Removing the posters or warning the advertisers to remove displays of the U.P. Government is not only illegal but also creates a perception of harassment to the agencies of other States,” Mr. Sehgal said in his letter.
“The hoardings were put up to attract NRIs, particularly those hailing from Uttar Pradesh, to come and invest in the State. As we will be hosting our own NRI Diwas to attract investments in last week of January, we wanted to give a positive message to NRIs through these posters,” Mr. Sehgal told The Hindu . The Chief Minister will be addressing a session in the PBD on Friday, while Uttar Pradesh has created a special pavilion at the venue showcasing development and other initiatives taken up by the State Government to boost economy and industrialisation.
