Lucknow, May 28 — With the Governor BL Joshi holding the controversial State Special Zone Security Force Bill, 2010 and subsequent Ordinance for the protection of parks and memorials, the state Cabinet on Friday decided to withdraw both legislations. The government had planned to establish security force with special powers for the protection of these sites.
Shelving the Bill and Ordinance the Cabinet meeting chaired by Chief Minister Mayawati here on Friday decided to hand over the security of all 12 parks and memorials in Lucknow and Noida to armed home guards. The Cabinet had approved proposal for establishment of special zone security force for this purpose.
In January last the BSP government had passed the Bill and later it was sent to the Governor. However in view of sweeping powers to the proposed force the Governor had sought legal opinion.
Late with some amendments the government also promulgated an ordinance on the issue but it could not cut much ice with the Governor. The government without waiting for gubernatorial approval decided to set up the force by inducting retired army personnel.
The government today said that during recruitment of army personnel it was noticed that women were not available for the security purpose. The government said presence of women in this force was necessary.
The induction of ex-army man in the force without women was not found feasible. The Cabinet thus withdrew the plan today.
In view of availability of women home guards the Cabinet has now approved the establishment a force consisting of Home guards. The Cabinet also noted that recruitment and training under the Bill and ordinance was long drawn process whereas Home guards were easily available and they could be quickly trained for this specific purpose.