UP Govt hikes daily wages of scavengers Cabinet not to stadium in Saifai

In its first administrative decision post lok Sabha election, the state Government on Tuesday decided to increase the daily wages of scavengers engaged in local bodies in the state, paved the way for construction of stadium in Saifai, ordered imposition of new taxes on old vehicles and also announced increase in penalty on traffic violations.

Besides, the Government also authorised Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav to finalise the schedule and dates of the Budget session of the UP legislature. 

The Budget session is expected to be held in the first week of next month.The decisions were taken in the state Cabinet meeting here on Tuesday. 

This was the first Cabinet meeting after the just-concluded lok Sabha election in which the Samajwadi Party received a drubbing at the hands of Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).

The Government decided to hike the daily wages of the scavengers engaged on contractual basis in the local bodies. They would now get Rs 250 on daily basis. Besides, the Government also decided to revise the Minimum Wages Act. Now if the minimum wage is more than Rs 250, the worker would be entitled to dearness allowance. 

The government also decided to impose a new road tax on old vehicles. It would be named ‘Green Tax’. The new tax would be imposed on vehicles whose road tax has expired and the amount collected would be used for preservation of environment.The Government also hiked the monetary penalty on traffic violation on the roads. Now the first time fine would be Rs 4,000 and it will increase to Rs 7,500 for every violation thereafter.

The state Cabinet also approved construction of stadium at Saifai in Etawah. 

The stadium will have facilities for major indoor and outdoor games and also an Olympic size swimming pool. In another decision, the Government decided to give loan at an interest of 11.25 per cent to PCF for ensuring storage of fertilisers and seeds.The Government also decided to set up Food Security Appellate Authority in Jhansi instead of Chitrakoot to look after cases of Chitrakoot and Jhansi. 

The government spokesman said the number of traders in Jhansi was much more than in Chitrakoot so it was found prudent to shift the FSAA office from Chitrakoot to Jhansi.In another decision, the Government decided to give additional benefits to the faculty of Rajashri Tandon Open University at Allahabad and Dr Ram Manohar lohia National law University with retrospective effect from January 1, 2006.