"Deliberately trying to mislead various sections": UP Minister Anil Rajbhar rebuts Akhilesh Yadav remarks on labours

Lucknow (Uttar Pradesh) [India], May 6 (ANI): Uttar Pradesh Labour Minister Anil Rajbhar on Tuesday strongly criticized Samajwadi Party (SP) leader Akhilesh Yadav for his recent remarks on outsourcing and labour issues, accusing the SP of misleading workers and distorting facts.
"SP leader Akhilesh Yadav has made a big statement regarding outsourcing. I have been observing for several days that Samajwadi Party leaders are deliberately trying to mislead various sections of society from their offices. Today, again, I saw that the Samajwadi Party is talking about laborers," said Rajbhar.
Akhilesh Yadav on Tuesday had launched a scathing attack on the Uttar Pradesh government over labour rights and alleged exploitation of farmers and workers, prompting a sharp rebuttal from Rajbhar.
Speaking to reporters, Akhilesh Yadav said, "The way this government is snatching away the rights of laborers--just like farmers are being exploited--even more so, our laborer brothers are being exploited. How can the economy grow without uplifting the self-respect and pride of laborers?"
Recalling past incidents under the SP government, he said, "Between 2004 and 2007, the highest levels of starvation in Uttar Pradesh's history occurred--during the Samajwadi Party's rule. It was during their time that the poor died, laborers died. And today, they dare to talk about laborers?"
He emphasised the current government's pro-labour initiatives, stating, "Today, under the guidance of the Hon'ble Prime Minister and the leadership of Yogi Ji, the UP government has honored labor power with the slogan 'Shramev Jayate' and created an example for the nation. The recently established Atal Residential Schools reflect this intent."
"The BJP government has resolved that in the coming days, the son of a laborer will not remain a laborer--he will become an officer, a doctor, an engineer," he added.
Rajbhar noted that ten active schemes support workers "from the moment a child is in its mother's womb to the end of life." He claimed these programs are making a tangible difference.
"Today, laborers are no longer migrating out of UP. In fact, laborers from other states are coming here and getting employment," he said, citing improvements in factory registrations and employment growth.
Rajbhar also spoke about upcoming welfare infrastructure: "We are bringing forward the 'Sarai Yojana'--to provide temporary shelters for rural laborers who come to cities--and developing 'labor stands' (Labour Addas)."
He dismissed SP's claims about Bundelkhand farmers: "By bringing in farmers from Bundelkhand, they are trying to mislead people. But this is the same Bundelkhand whose land remained parched for centuries... today, through the Jal Jeevan Mission and proper irrigation systems, that thirsty land has been nourished."
Rajbhar accused the SP of political discomfort after the government's commitment to reservations in outsourcing: "Earlier, they questioned reservations. Now they talk about PDA. But when the UP government firmly stated in the Assembly that it will form corporations for outsourcing and provide reservation for Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, and OBCs, their discomfort is natural."
He concluded by defending the government's wage policies: "Now that the government has declared that outsourced employees will receive at least Rs 18,000 as per their qualifications and will be protected from exploitation, their panic is obvious. We will create a system to ensure there is no exploitation at any level."
Earlier on Tuesday, while speaking in a press conference, Yadav had said that economic development is not possible without ensuring the dignity of those who form its backbone. "If farmers and laborers are not happy, how can the economy possibly improve?" he asked.
Yadav had also raised concerns about alleged land acquisition issues in Bundelkhand. "Farmers from Bundelkhand have come--land was taken from them through wrongful means, and they haven't even been given compensation. We will urge our Leader of the Opposition (LoP) to meet with the District Magistrate there and present their case so that our farmer brothers get their due rights and fair market rate for their land. Many times, our farmer brothers are forcibly made to sign over their land documents," he said. (ANI)