Mulayam pulls up Akhilesh govt for slow pace of work in UP

Says only hearing about foundation-laying and not inauguration of schemes

Pulling up the Akhilesh government for "slow place" of work on development front in Uttar Pradesh, Samajwadi Party supremo Mulayam Singh Yadav today said that he was only hearing about "foundation-laying" and not "inauguration" of such schemes.

"There are a lot of schemes, but the pace of work is very slow. I am hearing about launch (foundation-laying) of schemes and not about their inauguration. I am not getting chance to inaugurate schemes", Mulayam said.

He was addressing a programme on the occasion of foundation-laying ceremony of 302-km Lucknow-Agra Expressway here at Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav's 5 Kalidas Marg residence, in his presence.

"When I was there (as CM), I did not use to lay foundation but inaugurate schemes. Whenever, I used to lay foundation, I used to fix a date of inauguration there only", he said.

Asking party ministers to "deliver", Mulayam said that you all should know that "party organisation is above the government. You can remain ministers, only when if the organisation wants to see you there. The ministers and officers should tell, why the projects are not getting completed".

"I have become a national president in the national executive...If you want to remove me you have to call it again. And if I am here, you will have to perform", he said in a lighter vein.

Asking ministers to adopt villages and construct toilets in every village, Mulayam said that people are smart, and they wanted to see what was done for them and not what will be in store for them".

On the occasion, Mulayam asked representatives of the construction companies to tell when would they complete their projects and after getting assurance from them that the same would be "completed in 24 months", he gave them a deadline to finish it within 22 months.

Mulayam said that he does not visit 5 Kalidas Marg, which is the official CM's residence, as people will start saying that "I am running the government".

"I believe in inauguration and not foundation-laying", he said.

Pointing at former Chief Secretary Javed Usmani, who was recently appointed Chief Information Commissioner, Mulayam said that the former CS is there and his services should also be availed for the same.