The new year brings good news for four cities namely Agra, Meerut, Varanasi and Kanpur where state government wants to introduce metro rail to ease out clogged city traffic.

Besides, the Government also introduced new bio-technology policy with Council of Science and Technology as its nodal agency. “After lucknow, Government has decided to introduce metro in four more cities of Uttar Pradesh. This is done with an aim to increase urban commutation and save the cities from persistent traffic jams,” Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav told reporters here on Tuesday.

The decision regarding this was taken in the cabinet meeting. Chief Minister said that the state cabinet has asked for feasibility report for these cities. The RITES has been asked to prepare the report and submit the same at the earliest. “If the Union Government does not give 50 per cent grant, the development authorities of these cities will bear the cost,” Chief Minister said.

Metro already exists in Ghaziabad and Noida cities and construction has started at lucknow. “Metros in the new cities will generate employment, besides easing out transportation hazards due to over crowding,” he said. UP is the only state in the country where Metro rail will ply in seven cities. In another decision Government has increased daily food allowance of patients in ESI hospital from existing Rs 65 per day to Rs 100 per day. “It was brought to the notice of the government that food allowance of patients in ESI hospitals was very less. So, the government has decided to increase it,” government spokesman said. Of the total cost 7/8 is borne by Employees State Insurance Corporation, New Delhi and state government bears the 1/8th of the cost.

The state government has also approved Bio-technology police that will increase use of this technology in industries and science. The main aim of this policy would be invite private investments in this sector so this new technology could be used in the development of state. “The whole technology would be supervised by a board headed by Chief Minister. The Centre for Science and Technology would work as a nodal agency. It will store database from other states and use them state’s benefit,” official spokesman said.

The government has also decided to set up Uttar Pradesh State Women Empowerment Mission that would oversee different schemes that are carried out for the welfare of women. Government has also revised Rani lakshmi Bai Samman Kosh under which Rs 100 crore has been earmarked for extending financial help to needy women.

In another decision Government has increased honorarium of teachers of madarsas. The intermediate passed teacher would get additional Rs 1,000 besides his salary of Rs 3000 announnced by Union Government. Graduate and B.Ed teachers would get additional Rs 2,000 and PG-teachers would get Rs 3,000 over and above their salaries of Rs
6,000 and 12,000 respectively.

The spokesman said that state cabinet has gived its approval to include fisheries colony in lohia Gramin Awas Yojana. Government has also decided to widen the roads between Banda and Chitrakoot and Mahoba and Kabrai with its resources. Cabinet also approved RFP (Request for proposal) for maintenance of Aligarh-Mathura road. The government also cancelled agreement for setting up of thermal power project in Sandila and has decided to return bank guarantee to the
developer.

In another decision cabinet has approved amendments in land Acquisition Act, 2013 making it more transparent and farmer friendly. Besides, it has also renewed the agreement between government and lIC over land acquisition. The agreement was last signed in July 15, 2011 for three years but it lapsed in 2014. This has been renewed for next three years.

Government has also approved construction of residential quarters for para medics in Saifai. Besides, a proposal to set up SUDA office in Gomti Nagar has also been approved.