NEW DELHI, Dec 5:
Government today transferred a piece of prime land in Mumbai for a memorial to B R Ambedkar but BSP Chief Mayawati appeared unimpressed seeking at least 30-40 acres of land for the purpose.
“If the Government allocates 12-13 acres of land for it, it would not be sufficient for the memorial. For such a grand memorial for Ambedkar, at least 30-40 acres of land would be required. In 12-13 acres, no grand memorial can be built,” she told reporters outside Parliament House.
“We will not accept if the Government makes a memorial for Ambedkar in 12-13 acres of land. He will have to be given his due respect as he is the father of our Constitution,” she said.
Earlier, the Government announced in both Houses of Parliament transfer of prime Indu Mill land in Mumbai to Maharashtra government for constructing a memorial to Amedkar, meeting a long pending demand of several political parties in the state.
Reports had it that the total land of the now defucnt Indu mill was of 12.5 acres.
Mayawati raised the issue in a big way in Rajya Sabha. Even though Chairman Hamid Ansari said a statement by the government is listed in the agenda and the announcement will be made at noon, she insisted that the Question Hour be suspended and the statement be made forthwith leading to the adjournament of the House.
When the House reassembled and Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs Rajiv Shukla announced the decision to transfer land, Mayawati asked the details of the memorial plan seeking to know how much money would be spent on it and how much land would be allocated for the purpose.
Making the announcement in Lok Sabha, Textile Minister Anand Sharma said, “The Government of India has taken a view to make available this land for use to the Government of Maharashtra for the construction of a befitting memorial.”
The ashes of Babasaheb Ambedkar are interred at Chaitya Bhoomi, situated in the vicinity of the 12.5 acre land of India United Mill, popularly known as Indu Mill, under the National Textile Corporation at Prabhadevi in central Mumbai.
“The government has initiated the process to give effect to this decision and I will be shortly be moving the necessary legislative proposal for Parliamentary approval. I seek the support and endorsement of the House,” Sharma said. (PTI)
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