Mayawati cracks whip to cleanse Housing, Industrial sectors

Lucknow, May 17 (UNI) Signalling its intentions to clean up the housing and industrial sectors in the state, the Mayawati government is focussing on the Lucknow Development Authority (LDA) and UP State Industrial Development Corporation (UPSIDC), initiating pro-active measures to give these sectors a ''transparent look.'' Immediately after taking over, Chief Minister Mayawati suspended former Principal Secretary (PWD) Satish Kumar Agarwal and LDA Vice-Chairman B B Singh for alleged irregularities in upkeep of Ambedkar Park, the dream project of the UP CM since her first term in 1995.

With the land deals in Greater Noida and Noida to be scrutinised in the second phase, the Mayawati government has given enough indications to come down heavily on the previous government's misdeeds -- if any.

''Some 'big' matters of the financial and administrative irregularities have come to light. It would be followed by some tough actions against the erring officials,'' sources in the UPSIDC told UNI from Kanpur over phone. Meanwhile, some stringent measures, such as the sealing of some of the UPSIDC offices, including at Ghaziabad as well as the seizures from the Chief Engineer's office at LDA. The UPSIDC is engaged in acquisition of land for industrialisation beside developing Export Zones for specified products.

These two institutions had become to be perceived as the ''centres for irregular and corrupt practices,'' with the interests of the common man being the hardest-hit.

Sources close to government told UNI that while an intensive probe was already underway, there was likelihood of some senior officers being served suspension orders. A couple of IAS oficers might fall prey to the 'cleansing' act.

In pursuance to Ms Mayawati's first order, all the decisions taken by the respective boards of UPSIDC and LDA, taken after the announcement of polls, stood cancelled.

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