Strive for socio-economic development: Mayawati

Lucknow, Aug 15: Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Mayawati on Friday, Aug 15 said political independence should not be the goal but, social and economic independence is what is required to make the nation stronger in this world. Addressing the official function on the occasion of the 61st Independence Day celebrations after unfurling the Tricolour in front of the State Assembly, Ms Mayawati said political independence would not end the woes of the people and now all efforts should be made to achieve social and economic independence.

She said real independence could be achieved only when all sections of the society would get their equal representation in the political, social and economic sectors and people would have a problem-free living.

In her speech, the CM did not spare the Congress when she said that even without financial support from the Centre the UP government had initiated several developmental projects in Bundelkhand and eastern UP.

On the occasion, the CM also appreciated the role of the UP police and their job in improving the law and order condition and security of the people.

''Development could only be achieved, if there is good law and order in the state and people feel safe,'' she said.

Ms Mayawti also mentioned the recent seizure of over Rs 2 crore fake currency from the State Bank of India (SBI) chest at Dumariaganj in Siddharthangar district and the killing of dreaded dacoit Thokia by the Special Task Force (STF).

Mentioning her party's 'Sarvajan Hitaya, Sarvajan Sukhaya' formula to run the government, she said during her 15-month long regime, the government had introduced all the schemes and projects giving priority to the 'sarvasamaj'.

The UP CM also narrated in detail the projects launched in the state, including appointments of 88,000 primary teachers, 1.08 lakh sweepers, equal rights to girls in the property of their parents, allotment of government land to poor landless, widow pension hike from Rs 150 to Rs 300 per month, increase in daily wage of agriculture labourers from Rs 58 to Rs 100 and of the Home Guards from Rs 100 to Rs 126.

''The BSP government in the state was the first to implement reservation for the upper caste poor in the private sector, while lifting the ban on backlog appointments in the general category in governemnt departments,'' Ms Mayawati claimed.

The CM said implementation of the Value Added Tax (VAT) regime had benefited the traders as well as the consumers, while directives had been issued for faster relief and rescue work in the flood affected areas.

Expressing her happiness over the active monsoon in the state, Ms Mayawati said the state had achieved record foodgrain production in the past Rabi season and now it was expecting a record surplus during Kharif season.

Ms Mayawati started her address by paying rich tributes to the freedom fighters, who sacrifised their lives and also the great dalit leaders, including B R Ambedkar and Kashiram. She also said that UP was the front runner during the Quit India Movement against the British rule in 1857.

Earlier, Ms Mayawati presented 'Chief Minister Gallantry Police Awards' to four senior police officials of the state.

Those who received the awards were Additional Director General of Police (law and order) Brijlal, Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) STF Amitabh Yash, Superintendent of Police (SP)(City) Ghaziabad, Vijay Bhushan and Inspector civil police, Agra, Jagdish Chandra Singh.

The award includes a gold medal, citation and Rs 25,000 in cash.

UNI