Maya's return gift: Slew of schemes for UP

CM announces a Rs 16,00-cr scheme for drought-hit, health insurance for the poor and a 4,000-Mw plant.

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Mayawati today celebrated her birthday in the glare of TV cameras as she launched the controversial Rs 40,000-crore Noida-Ballia expressway project and pledged to wipe out poverty from the state's backward regions through social security schemes for "sarvajana" (all people).

As top civil and police officials vied with each other to offer her the birthday cake at a function at her official residence in Lucknow, she announced a string of projects, including a Rs 1,600-crore scheme for the nine drought-hit districts.

Lashing out at past governments in the state and the Centre for their "apathy" towards the drought-affected Bundelkhand region, Mayawati announced a health insurance scheme for those below poverty line and a 4,000-Mw thermal power project at Lalitpur.

To provide training to the state government employees, a centre for good governance would be set up in the state capital, she said.

In New Delhi, wearing her favourite diamond necklace and ear studs, she cut a cake in a five-star hotel before a huge gathering of mediapersons. Her father Prabhu Das, SC Mishra, her political aide and a Rajya Sabha member, besides her close relatives, took turns to offer her cake and greet her.

The birthday bash was modest when compared with past celebrations by the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP). Yet, it was clearly meant to give Mayawati's image a big boost, busy as she is in expanding her party's base across the country.

Conscious of her growing political importance, Mayawati said UPA Chairperson Sonia Gandhi greeted her early in the morning. Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, who is in Beijing, also wished Mayawati. "I am thankful that the prime minister took time off from his busy schedule to greet me from Beijing.''

Apparently in a generous mood, she appeared less belligerent towards her rivals. Referring to the Congress' criticism of her party and the government, she said, "All parties have a right to work towards expanding their base and say whatever they feel right in this process.''

In no mood to turn her birthday party into a stage for controversies, she merely smiled when asked whether Mulayam Singh wished her. Asked about her party's stand on dividing UP into smaller entities, Mayawati said although her party and the government favoured this, she would not rake up the issue for political gains.

"I have told the Centre to initiate in Parliament the process of division of UP and have assured of my support later,'' she said.