Akhilesh Yadav withdraws taxpayer-funded car ownership scheme for MLAs

Stung by the criticism which greeted his move to let MLAs purchase four-wheelers worth up to Rs20 lakh out of their local area development fund, UP chief minister Akhilesh Yadav today made a complete about turn.

"I take back the decision now. I take back the whole decision. The reason behind this is that most of the MLAs have decided not to take the offer after the media hype," he told reporters at his residence.

In a bid to defend his decision to allow MLAs to buy four-wheelers worth upto Rs 20 lakh and pay their depreciated value after five years to retain them, he said, there were many MLAs who could not afford cars. He added, the move was not for all, it was not compulsory for everyone to take the offer.

"There are some MLAs who use 7-8 year old cars to go around their constituencies," he noted.

The chief minister's announcement in the state assembly yesterday  sparked protests from BJP, BSP and Congress leaders who said the move would be interpreted in the wrong sense, as the money to be used for buying the vehicles would come from MLAs' local area development fund.

The chief minister had said, "Despite a financial crisis, the SP government has fulfilled all the promises it made in the party manifesto in the budget. MLAs are allowed to purchase vehicles upto Rs 20 lakh from their local area development fund."