Mayawati axes one more minister

Lucknow, Jan 18: Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Mayawati on Wednesday sacked Small-Scale Industry minister Chadradeo Ram Yadav who was indicted by the state Lokayukta.

"In consultations with the CM, Governor B L Joshi has relieved the minister from his post with immediate effect," a notification issued by the state government said. In his report submitted to the government on December 28 last year, the Lokayukta had indicted the minister for drawing salary from two places and had recommended his removal from the Cabinet.

Yadav is the sixth minister to be dismissed on the basis of Lokayukta's reports. Earlier, Rajesh Tripathi, Awadhpal Singh, Badshah Singh, Rangnath Mishra and Ratan Lal Ahirwar were removed following their indictment by the ombudsman. Social Welfare minister Indrajeet Saroj had been given additional charge of the Small-Scale Industry, said the notification.

PTI