RLD slams ruling partner over land grabbing, water, power

Lucknow, Aug 7 (UNI) The Ajit Singh-led Rashtriya Lok Dal (RLD), a major ally of the ruling dispensation in Uttar Pradesh, today attacked the state government for various lapses.

In a memorandum addresed to chief minister and Samajwadi Party chief Mulayam Singh Yadav, the RLD demanded better prices for cane farmers for their produce, 16 hrs of power supply to villages and increase of seats in institutions of higher education.

It alleged builders and industrialists were being helped to acquire cultivable land from farmers at throwaway prices.

The party also held a dharna at Patel Pratima here, which was attended by state party chief Ram Asrey Verma, party general secretary Anil Dubey and Mahila Kalyan Nigam chairperson Dr Gyanwati Singh -- sister of RLD supremo Ajit Singh.

On earlier occasions too, the party had criticised the Mulayam Singh government much to the discomfort of the latter.

The RLD memorandum demanded the state government changed its land policy and allow farmers sell land at market rates to builders/industrialists.

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