Mulayam seeks explanation from UPA on employment

Lucknow, Jun 16: Seeking an explanation from the UPA government at the Centre on employment policy, Uttar Pradesh chief minister Mulayam Singh Yadav today launched an'unemployment allowance' scheme.

The chief minister distributed cheques to around 100 unemployed graduate and post-graduate youth of six districts of Lucknow division. Rest of the over 52,000 youth were distributed cheques at the enclosures by ministers of the state government.

Addressing the gathering, the Samajwadi Party supremo criticised the UPA led central government for its anti-people, anti-youth and anti-employment policies.

He disclosed that a letter seeking funds for the unemployment allowance was written to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh. But the PM replied that provision of such allowance was not part of the Centre's policy. ''UPA government should come out with an explanation on its policy towards employment and unemployed youth,''the UP CM said.

The CM also assured the youth that if his party along with Ajit Singh's Rashtriya Lok Dal was able to form the next government in UP, he would double the allowance from the present Rs 500 to Rs 1000. He said if sufficient resources were generated internally, the allowance could be doubled even before the next assembly elections.

Mr Yadav alleged that anti-youth and anti-women powers were trying to topple his government. ''But the youth would have to come together to stop such evil designs,'' he added.

The SP supremo said his party would shortly launch an awareness programmes in all the states to ensure that the scheme was launched by respective governments across India.

UNI