(Rpt, correcting figures in para one, two)

Lucknow, June 3 (UNI) In a populist decision, Uttar Pradesh government today announced the release of over 4,000 prisoners lodged in various jails of the state to mark the 12th anniversary of Bahujan Samaj Party's first accession to power in the state.

Chief Minister Mayawati said the decision was made to mark the anniversary of BSP's first victory in the state in 1995 on this day.

The day would be observed as the 'Sarvajana Kalyan (welfare for all) Day', the CM declared.

She made the announcement after a state cabinet decision in this regard. These prisoners were entitled to be released under the provisions of Jail Manual of the state.

Out of the total 18,334 convicted prisoners lodged in UP jails at the moment, over 4,000 were being released.

However, the chief Minister clarified that foreign prisoners convicted for heinous crimes and natives of other states did not comprise the list of the released prisoners.

There are provisions to release convicted prisoners under Article 161 of the Constitution, Section 432 of Criminal Procedure Code- 1973 and Sections 195, 196 and 197 of the UP Jail Manual. The provisions of these acts empowered the state government to order release of the prisioners subject to certain norms.

The CM said the move would help such prisoners join the mainstream. ''It is part of the BSP governnment's principle of social change,'' she added.

In reply to a poser, Ms Mayawati said the government would also assess the economic situation of those to be released. ''If their economic condition is not good, the government would provide them with monetary assistance,'' she added.

UNI