BSP sanctioned over Rs 5,000 cr on parks, statues in 5 yrs

Lucknow, Jun 25: The Bahujan Samaj Party government sanctioned more than Rs 5,000 crore for construction of parks, memorials and installation of statues between 2008 to 2012.

The stirring information was given in a written reply in the Uttar Pradesh Legislative Council on a question raised by Congress member Naseeb Pathan on year-wise fund allocation for parks and statues between Jan 2008 to May 2012.

In his reply, Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav said that between this period total 5,372.41 crore was sanctioned for parks and statues.

While Rs 377.8 crore was sanctioned between Jan and Mar 2008, an allocation of Rs 1435.64 crore was made in the financial year 2008-09, he said. Similarly, an allocation of Rs 1067.83 crore was made in 2009-10, Rs 1264.48 crore in 2010-11 and 628.38 crore in 2011-12.

In addition to this, Public Works Department (PWD) sanctioned Rs 118.46 crore and irrigation department Rs 479.78 crore during this period.

This fund was utilised to construct Bhimrao Ambedkar Samajik Parivartan Sthal, Kanshiram Smarak Sthal, Baudh Shanti Upvan, Kanshiram Green (Eco) Park, Bheemrao Ambedkar crossing, Smriti Upvan, Ramabai Ambedkar ground, park between Gomti barrage and Lamartinere ground, Lord Buddha crossing and Awadh hospital crossing at Lucknow.

Gautam Buddha University, Badalpur and sector-95 park of Noida in Gautam Buddha Nagar. On the question that whether unnecessary expenditure of the above fund obstructed the development of the state, the government said that various writ petitions had been filed in the High Court on the point, which were listed for hearing in Jul.

PTI