Maya now blows out b’day fire

In defence against the allegation that government money was misused during UP Chief Minister Mayawati’s birthday bash on January 16, th...

In defence against the allegation that government money was misused during UP Chief Minister Mayawati’s birthday bash on January 16, the state government today issued a clarification, saying using government funds for a state function was not without precedents.

In a statement issued late in the evening today, the government admitted that government money was spent on the ‘‘Swabhiman Diwas’’ celebrations but said it was not without precedents. ‘‘Nehru’s birthday is celebrated as Bal Diwas, Radhakrishnan’s as Teachers’ Day and Charan Singh’s birthday as Kisan Diwas. Then what is wrong in celebrating Mayawati’s birthday as Swabhiman Diwas?’’ the statement said.

CM off to Mumbai to lure producers, industrialists

LUCKNOW: After luring and winning the confidence of MLAs in the Vidhan Sabha, CM Mayawati is going on a three-day visit to Mumbai on March 13 to entice film producers and industrialists.

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She is scheduled to meet producers on March 14 when she will inform them about the potential available in her state for shooting. Thanks to the film Bandhu, on an average three or four proposals for film production are received every month. A state-level Film Development Council headed by Union Minister Shatrughan Sinha has been set up to chalk out a long-term policy for attracting investments.

During her visit, Mayawati will also meet industrialists and representatives of financial institutions to draw attention to the new industrial atmosphere in UP. As a gesture, she will present Rs 1 lakh to Vrinda Pulskar, daughter of Hindi film doyen Dada Saheb Phalke. (ENS)

The Allahabad High Court had on March 6 asked the state government to file an affidavit within a month on the use of government funds on the Chief Minister’s birthday. The court, however, had not issued a notice in person to the Chief Minister.

The government said that Rs 1.14 crore was withdrawn from the state’s Contingency Fund for the 116th anniversary of the Vidhan Sabha in Allahabad on January 8 and for the ‘‘Swabhiman Diwas’’ on January 16. Of the sum, it said, Rs 76 lakh was spent on the ‘‘Swabhiman Diwas’’ celebrations.

The fund was withdrawn from the Contingency Fund because there was no provision for it in the Budget. ‘‘Blowing it out of proportion was unfortunate and deliberate,’’ the government said.

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Defending the use of government funds, the government said that on the anniversary of the Vidhan Sabha, a documentary was made on the glorious history of the state’s Assembly and shown in Lucknow and Allahabad. It would be shown in other cities too, it said. On the ‘‘Swabhiman Diwas’’, it said, three exhibitions were organised in Delhi and Lucknow and the focus was on the achievements of the government. The government defended the expenditure on laddoos saying they were served as refreshments as is done at every state function.

Meanwhile, Mayawati’s ego got a boost when the state BJP gave a certificate to her governance, saying she ‘‘is doing a good job’’ and her government would complete its full term a day after the Chief Minister expressed annoyance over the PMO’s clarification on the ‘‘blessing controversy’’. State BJP spokesman Hridya Narain Dixit said ‘‘the government is carrying out development work and construction of roads under the Prime Minister’s Sadak Rozgar Yojana is an indicator to this.’’