The New Okhla Industrial Development Authority (NOIDA) will soon have to return a huge chunk of prime land along the UP-Delhi border, to Uttar Pradesh irrigation department from which it was transferred to NOIDA during the previous Bahujan Samaj Party regime headed by Mayawati.
While taking a decision to this effect, the state cabinet headed by Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav on Tuesday further resolved to initiate action against all those officials who were responsible for transferring 895 acres of land worth thousands of crores to NOIDA.
The decision may jeopardise several projects being undertaken by private developers, to whom part of the land was allotted by the previous government for obvious considerations.
Through another decision, land measuring some 36,750 square metres was to be given away free of cost for enhancement of housing facilities for judges of the Allahabad high court. The land is close to the heart of Allahabad city.
Among the other populist decisions taken by the Akhilesh cabinet, a special monthly pension of Rs 3,000 was awarded to all those who were jailed under the Maintenance of Internal Security Act or Defence of India Rules during the Emergency clamped by then prime minister Indira Gandhi during the mid seventies.
As per the decision, the pension beneficiaries would also be entitled to free travel in UP State Road Transport Corporation buses as well as to free treatment in the state-run hospitals and dispensaries across the state, evidently on the same lines as freedom-fighters.
Displaying its seriousness for enforcement of the five-year old legislation for ensuring social and financial security to senior citizens and neglected old parents, the cabinet also took a decision to constitute a high-level committee headed by the chief secretary to draw a blue-print for implementation of the 'Father-Mother and Senior Citizens Welfare and well being Act 2007.'
In yet another significant move, aimed at placating the agitating primary teacher aspirants, the state government has decided to make suitable amendments in the Basic Education (Teachers) Service Act to accommodate the TET qualified persons who were so far not entitled to appointment in state run primary schools.
Among other decisions, a one-time settlement of entertainment tax is also proposed for water-parks and video parlous across the state.
