Lucknow, May 1 (IANS) Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav Tuesday announced a host of facilities for people who were arrested during the emergency in 1975-77. He also announced plans to give financial help to girls for education.
Addressing a rally on the occasion of May Day, Yadav said his party recognised the hardships faced by those who fought for democracy during the emergency.
“We will ensure that the girls get financial aid from the state government for their education and marriage,” said Yadav.
“My government would be restarting the facilities extended to them in the previous Samajwadi Party regime headed by Mulayam Singh Yadav,” said the chief minister at a rally organised by Northern Railways Men’s Union and other labour organisations.
“All such people would be known as ‘loktantra Senani’. He also announced that all aanganwadi women workers and their helpers, under the ICDS (Integrated Child Development Services) scheme would be given a monthly hike of Rs.1,500 and Rs.750, respectively,” he said.
He also announced that a labour office would soon be opened in Noida, adjacent to the national capital.
The emergency from June 26, 1975 to March 21, 1977 was a 21-month period, when president Fakhruddin Ali Ahmed, upon advice of prime minister Indira Gandhi, declared a state of emergency under Article 352 of the Constitution of India, effectively bestowing on him the power to rule by decree, suspending elections and civil liberties.
