UP Dy. CM calls decision of toll-free lanes for MLAs, MLCs, MPs 'fair'

After the Uttar Pradesh Government issued a directive to provide toll-free lanes for MLAs, MLCs and MPs at all toll plazas across the state, including the ones on national highways, Deputy Chief Minister Dinesh Sharma on Sunday said that was a fair decision on the part of the cabinet as all members of the State Assembly and State Council should enjoy the same rights.

"These members of the Vidhan Parishad raised a question that when Vidhan Sabha members go out then no interrogation takes place, but when Vidhan Parishad members go out, then they are asked. This should not happen. They should also get the rights given to the Vidhan Sabha members," Sharma told the media here.

A letter from the UP government was earlier sent to all DMs which asked to ensure that toll plazas under their jurisdiction should provide separate toll-free lanes to MPs, and MLAs in the event of traffic jams.

It also states that no road toll would be charged from any MLA or MLC of the UP assembly, or MPs from the state as directed by the Centre.

This has invited the ire of the bureaucrats, who have termed it a move to bolster the VVIP culture in the state, earlier brought down by the Centre by banning the red beacon across the nation.