There seems to be no end to the accusations and counter-accusations between the BSP and Congress.The Uttar Pradesh unit of the Congress here today released the minutes of a meeting called by the Sachivalaya administration on December 27, detailing the different tasks entrusted to various state departments for Chief Minister Mayawati’s birthday on January 15.Alleging that the government was spending an estimated Rs 10 crore on the Chief Minister’s birthday celebrations, UPCC spokesperson Akhilesh Pratap Singh today demanded an inquiry into the government’s expenses.‘‘The state has been through grave crises in the recent past. Farmers were killed in police firing at Munderwa and sugarcane growers committed suicide but no meeting was held in the wake of these incidents. But meetings have been held regularly since December for the Chief Minister’s birthday bash,’’ he said.As per the minutes of the meeting that was allegedly attended by senior officials of important departments, the district administration has been asked to arrange for thousands of kilos of special laddoos to be distributed among the over 25,000 guests expected to attend the birthday bash at La Martiniere School grounds. The chief medical officer of Lucknow has been told to taste (to check the quality) and test (to look for any possible poisonous adulteration) the laddoos twice — while they are being prepared and before they are distributed.The Public Works Department would take care of the venue. It has been asked to put up a pandal with waterproof roof and barricades to regulate the movement of invitees. While the Lucknow Development Authority has been put in charge of the decorations, the Lucknow police would take care of the public address system, security at the venue and the parking of vehicles.The State Information Department, on the other hand, has been asked to put up an exhibition, highlighting the achievements of the Mayawati government and depicting the Chief Minister’s personality. In view of the frequent power failure in the state capital, special instructions have been issued to the Chief General Manager, Lucknow Electricity Supply Authority, and Energy Department to ensure uninterrupted power supply during the function which will begin at 9 am and go on till afternoon.
