Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister and Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) supremo Mayawati has fallen foul of Reserve Bank of India’s directives on the use of currency notes. Two years ago, the RBI had given a public appeal not to use banknotes for making garlands among other things. The UP CM was presented a garland made of Rs 1,000 currency notes at the BSP’s 25th foundation day celebration rally in Lucknow on Monday.
The issue rocked the Lok Sabha today and finally the House had to be adjourned without passing the Green Tribunal Bill as members from Samajwadi Party and even Congress shouted slogans against Mayawati. BSP members also responded adding to the disruptions.
On 12 Mar 2008, the RBI had appealed to members of public “not to use banknotes for making garlands, decorating pandals and places of worship or for showering on personalities in social events, etc. Such actions deface the banknotes and shorten their life, the Reserve Bank stated and added that banknotes should be respected as they are a symbol of the Sovereign and public should not misuse them so that the life of banknotes is enhanced.”
“The Reserve Bank has stated that it has been taking all measures to supply clean banknotes across the country and has urged the members of public to contribute their mite to its efforts,” it added.
The garland presented to their boss by loyal party workers is estimated to be worth ranging from Rs 21 lakh to Rs 10 crore.
In an attempt to tone down the controversy, Mayawati’s close aide and state PWD Minister Naseemuddin Siddiqui said the garland was made of money contributed by the BSP workers of Lucknow. Siddiqui claimed the garland was worth Rs 21 lakh. Samajwadi Party chief Mulayam Singh has demanded a CBI probe into the whole issue.
