Lucknow, February 13 (). During the discussion on the Governor’s address in the Uttar Pradesh Assembly, Leader of Opposition Mata Prasad Pandey cornered the government on the issues of law and order, encounter policy, corruption, government education and employment. He said that development is not possible through budget announcements alone, unless strict action is taken against corrupt officials.
Mata Prasad Pandey, while demanding the appointment of a permanent DGP in the state, said that the acting DGP is not able to work at his full capacity. When the top post is temporary, it impacts the system. Names are coming up in cases like dacoity against sub-inspector and policemen, yet it is said that law and order is fine.
The Leader of Opposition raised questions on the police encounter and said that law and order is not maintained by shooting criminals. He said, “The Supreme Court has given clear guidelines, yet encounters are happening continuously. What kind of encounter is this, in which the killer never dies, the soldier does not even get a scratch?”
He appealed to the Chief Minister to stop this practice, otherwise it would have serious consequences in future. No one has the right to snatch someone’s right to live. If the advocacy is strong then the culprits can be punished by the court. Referring to Vijay Mishra, Mata Prasad said that if he is a criminal then legal action should be taken, but it is not right to send her son to jail without any fault. If guilty then punish, but do not ruin the future.
Describing the state’s education system as being in bad shape, the Leader of Opposition said that 70-80 thousand teachers are being paid salaries, school buildings are also being improved, but poor children are not getting quality education. A child educated in a government school is unable to get a good job, whereas children from a convent school reach high positions. This inequality needs to be addressed seriously.
He said that if the things written in the Governor’s address are implemented on the ground, the state can be rejuvenated, but corruption is the biggest problem. From village to city people are suffering from corruption. The investigation reports given to the Lokayukta were not brought in the House. If action is not taken then Lokpal and Lokayukta will have no meaning.
Mata Prasad Pandey said that the government claims to increase GDP, but employment opportunities have not increased. During the Covid period, people had to return on foot from Delhi-Mumbai because there was not enough employment in the state. If you cannot provide government jobs then promote small industries.
During the discussion, there was a heated debate between Minister Sanjay Nishad and Mata Prasad Pandey on the issue of reservation. There was an uproar over the use of the controversial word, which the Assembly Speaker later directed to remove from the proceedings.
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Wicket/DKP