Uttar Pradesh Raj Bhawan spends Rs 40 lakh monthly on 86 staffers: RTI
Lucknow, Sep 1 : A staggering Rs 40 lakh in salaries is paid every month to the 86 staffers of the Uttar Pradesh Raj Bhawan, the Governor's official residence, a response to an RTI query has revealed.
As per the RTI data provided by Hemant Kumar Chaudhary, Public Information Officer (PIO) of Raj Bhawan, Uttar Pradesh to activist Nutan Thakur, the staffers include a principal secretary, a special secretary and a legal advisor. There are four officers on special duty (OSD), four personal secretaries and other secretariat staff.
In addition, there is one chef, one steward, six drivers, three senior attendants and 19 attendants. There are also sixteen bearers, five assistant bearers, three mates, two cooks, one tailor, one washerman and five 'safai karmis'.
The RTI response also mentioned that the salary of principal and special secretary is given by the government, while the cumulative monthly salary of other 84 personnel is Rs 39,70,530.
The Raj Bhawan, however, refused to provide the number of police personnel posted there and the monthly salary given to them, citing provisions of RTI Act.
The activist told IANS that "the reasons of denial do not seem proper".
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House of BJP Minority Morcha's Manipur president torched for supporting Waqf Amendment Act
Imphal, Apr 6 (PTI): The house of the BJP Minority Morcha's Manipur president, Asker Ali, was set on fire by a mob on Sunday night allegedly for supporting the Waqf Amendment Act, officials said.
The incident happened at Lilong in Thoubal district, they said.
Ali had expressed his support for the Act on social media on Saturday.
An irate mob gathered outside his residence around 9 pm, vandalised it and later set it on fire, officials said.
Following the incident, Ali posted a video on social media, apologising for his earlier statement. He also expressed opposition to the Act.
Earlier in the day, protests were held in different parts of Imphal Valley against the Act.
Over 5,000 people participated in a rally that disrupted the traffic on NH 102 at Lilong.
In some places, the protesters got engaged in a scuffle with the security forces, officials said.
One such incident happened at Irong Chesaba in Thoubal in the morning. The scuffle broke out after the demonstrators were stopped by the security forces from moving forward.
The demonstrators raised slogans against the BJP-led government at the Centre, decrying the Act.
"The Waqf Amendment Act is against the ethos of the Constitution. It is completely unacceptable for the Muslim community," said Sakir Ahmed, a protester.
Protests were also held in Kshatri Awang Leikai, Kairang Muslim and Kiyamgei Muslim areas in Imphal East, and Sora in Thoubal district, among other places.
Security has been strengthened in Muslim-dominated areas of the Valley, with additional forces deployed, officials said.
The Waqf (Amendment) Bill was passed by the Lok Sabha on Thursday, and by the Rajya Sabha in the early hours of Friday after marathon debates in both Houses of Parliament.
The Act aims to streamline the management of Waqf properties (assets permanently donated by Muslims for religious or charitable purposes) with provisions to safeguard heritage sites and promote social welfare. It also seeks to improve governance by enhancing transparency in property management, streamlining coordination between Waqf boards and local authorities and protecting stakeholders’ rights.
President Droupadi Murmu gave her assent to the bill on Saturday.
Breaking:
— Dr. Lamtinthang Haokip (@DrLamtinthangHk) April 6, 2025
An angry mob of Lilong set fire to the house of @BJPManipur Minority Morcha President, Mr. Askar Ali Mkm for insulting fellow community & supporting the recently passed Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2025. @rashtrapatibhvn @INCIndia @INCMinority @INCAdivasi @the_hindu… pic.twitter.com/PINixnXGma
