Benefits for UP students, teachers, street vendors

Lucknow, Jul 10 (UNI) Uttar Pradesh government today announced to adopt the National Street Vendors' policy announced in 2004 by the Centre.

A cabinet meeting chaired by Chief Minister Mulayam Singh Yadav took the decision to this effect.

Briefing mediapersons after the meeting, chief secretary Naveen Chandra Bajpai said after the state ended the 'tehbazari' system to help the street vendors get rid of middlemen and routine harassment, it was imperative to adopt the National Street Vendors' Policy.

As part of the policy, the street vendors would be provided with identity cards, which would also contain the name of the nominee -- the person, who would take over the job after the death of the registered vendor. The leading bank of the region would be involved to provide insurance to the registered vendors, he added.

A committee would be formed in which vendors would be involved.

One third vendors in the committee would necessarily be women.

In another decision, the government enhanced the prize money for meritorious science students and introduced two awards for best science teachers and farmers, who have evolved new techniques in farming and irrigation.

While the prize money for 'Vigyan Chhatra Samman' at the high school level has been increased from Rs 50,000 to Rs 2 lakh, the amount for the award at the intermediate level has been increased from Rs one lakh to Rs 5 lakh.

'Vigyan Shikshak Samman' has been introduced for science teachers, in the unorganised sector and the 'Kisan Mazdoor Samman' has for inventions and innovations in the farming sector.

In yet another decision, Uttar Pradesh opened 'Ashram' type schools for OBC and general category students. So far, only SC/ST students were entitled for admissions in such institutions.

While 60 per cent seats would be reserved for SC/ST students, 25 per cent seats have been earmarked for OBC and the remaining 15 per cent for general category students.

Children of widows living below poverty line (BPL) would benefit from the scheme. A few more criterions have been included to help more children take advantage of the decision.

Uttar Pradesh has a total of 38 such schools, while 16 such schools for girls are coming up shortly.

In a bid to boost the small scale sector, the state government has provided extension by another year to provide priority in purchasing clothes including woolen uniforms, curtains, bed sheets and 'dari' manufactured by Gandhi Ashram, Khadi Board, UP Hatkargha Nigam and UP Export Corporation.

UNI NAB VS AK HT1655