In order to fulfill the promises of welfare schemes worth Rs 3,987 crore made by chief minister Mayawati on the first death anniversary of BSP founder Kanshiram a fortnight back, the Vidhan Sabha, on Wednesday, passed the first supplementary grant of over Rs 1,999 crore.
About 25% the grant has been dedicated to construction and maintenance of the memorials named after Dalit icons B R Ambedkar and Kanshiram.
The grants, tabled by finance minister K K Gautam, were passed by a voice-vote in the absence of the main opposition Samajwadi party members. Noisy scenes erupted in the house as soon as it assembled in the morning, with the entire opposition up on its feet demanding discussions on various issues concerning the farmers and re-organisation of the state.
The supplementary grants have been provided for over Rs 135 crore for completing the unfinished work at the B R Ambedkar memorial and Rs 129 crore for the construction of Kanshiram Prerna Sthal in the state capital.
While Rs 16 crore has been provided for the construction of a guest house at Ambedkar Samajik Parivartan Sthal, a provision of Rs 25 crore has been made for rehabilitation of the rural population displaced following development of Rambai Ambedkar Park in the city.
Another Rs 7.70 crore has been provided for construction of a 33kv power sub-station at B R Ambedkar Samajik Parivartan Sthal. The supplementary grants have also been provided for Rs 50 crore for the projects under Bundelkhand development package.
The government also gave Rs 7.5 crore for various programmes to be organised on the occasion of the birth anniversary of Kanshiram early next year and another Rs 2.5 crore for setting up statues at the Kanshiram Vishram Sthal.