With Dalit agenda high on her mind after the Lok Sabha elections,Chief Minister Mayawati on Thursday announced reservation for SC,ST contractors in government works with estimated expenditure up to Rs 5 lakh. The BSP Government has also decided that instead of selecting new Ambedkar villages,it would choose from the 2,000-odd existing villages for undertaking development works,like electrification,sanitation,link roads and drinking water. Addressing the media after the Cabinet meeting,the Mayawati said 21 per cent tenders involving the Government works up to Rs 5 lakh would be reserved for contractors from Scheduled Castes,and 2 per cent for those from Scheduled Tribes. The quota would be applicable in all departments,government undertakings,corporations,local bodies and councils. The Chief Minister,expressing her dissatisfaction over development works being carried out in Ambedkar villages,said: I noticed that it is difficult to ensure maintenance of the development works undertaken in these villages. The development works in these villages do not match my vision. The CM has therefore said that development works would be undertaken on priority in the 2,000 existing Ambedkar villages.
