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This is an archive article published on December 20, 2002

Cash only for pet projects

The Mayawati government may say that it has no money in its coffers but it has never said no to projects linked to Babasaheb Ambedkar and ot...

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The Mayawati government may say that it has no money in its coffers but it has never said no to projects linked to Babasaheb Ambedkar and other Dalit leaders.

Ever since she took over as CM, Mayawati has spent crores on projects like the Ambedkar Udyan, Ambedkar Maidan, Ambedkar Sthal and Parivartan Chowk. But the 15 contractors, who spent Rs 44.5 lakh to build helipads and erect barricades, tents and shamianas for the inaugural ceremony of Jayaprakash Narayan’s centenary in Ballia on October 1, are running from pillar to post for their dues.

The inaugural

function was attended by dignitaries like Vice-President Krishna Kant, PM A.B. Vajpayee, Deputy PM L.K. Advani, then chief minister Rajnath Singh and RJD leader Laloo Prasad Yadav.

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It has been more than a year since the function was held but the contractors are yet to get payment from the government.

The District Magistrate of Ballia, S.P. Dixit, says he has talked to PWD officials many times but has not succeeded in getting the money cleared. PWD Secretary Shailesh Krishna said the delay in payment ‘‘is because the PWD’s Ballia office is currently without a head.’’

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