Uttar Pradesh Governor Anandiben Patel on February 18 praised the steps taken by the Adityanath government for controlling the spread of coronavirus in the State.
Opposition parties raised slogans and staged a walkout during the Governor’s address, opposing the Centre’s three agriculture laws.
Addressing the joint sitting of the State Legislature at the start of the Budget session, the Governor said that besides effectively controlling the spread of the virus, the government also brought back migrants stranded in other States amid the pandemic.
Sugar mills operated despite the situation prevailing due to the pandemic in the State, she said.
The Governor said the State has emerged as an export hub, and stressed that the power department played an important role in achieving this.
Praising the government’s zero tolerance policy against crime and criminals, she said concerted action has been taken against the mafia elements in the State.
As many as 1,019 mafias have been arrested and several others have surrendered in the courts. Arm licences of the mafias have been cancelled and action for seizing and demolishing illegal properties has also been carried out, she said.
Opposition walks out
Governor Anandiben Patel reached the assembly five minutes late, prompting the Leader of Opposition Ram Gobind Chaudhary to allege that she did not want to address the House due to the “atrocities” committed against the women in the state.
“Seeing the atrocities committed against the women in the state, the Governor did not want to read her address. The Chief Minister and the Speaker convinced her. Then after seven-eight minutes, she completed her quorum,” Mr. Chaudhary told reporters outside the assembly without substantiating his claim.
Earlier, Samajwadi Party legislators staged a protest outside the Uttar Pradesh Assembly building in support of the farmers' agitation.
BSP leader Lalji Verma said he has seen it for the first time that the governor arrived late for the assembly address.
Leader of the Congress Legislature Party Aradhana Misra said, “The government should have expressed sympathy towards more than 200 farmers who have died during the protest. Most of the farmers who died are from UP.” She also demanded a judicial inquiry into the Unnao incident, where two Dalit girls were found dead in a field.
