Laxmi Raman Acharya
| Laxmi Raman Acharya | |
|---|---|
| Finance Minister Government of Uttar Pradesh | |
|
In office 14 March 1967 – 27 March 1971 | |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
2 November 1914 Alwar, Rajasthan |
| Died |
4 February 1997 Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh |
| Political party | INC |
| Spouse(s) | Suman Acharya |
| Children | 7 |
Laxmi Raman Acharya was born on 2 November 1914 in Alwar, Rajasthan. His father Rewati Raman Acharya was Revenue Minister in the Princely State of Alwar but later revolted against the King and Joined Indian National Congress due to his proximity with British Empire. The Acharya Family hails from Tirpuati District in Andhra Pradesh.
Early life
He Studied at St.John's College, Agra and was Gold Medalist in Literature. He completed his Law from Jaipur University.
Pre Independence
Also served as President of St.John's Student Union from where he was arrested as Main Conspirator of the Famous Agra Conspiracy Case in 1937 and was sentenced to 4 Years Rigorous Imprisonment. Was also arrested in 1942 during Quit India Movement.
After independence
After independence he became Chairman of Crime Prevention Society of Mathura in 1947. He was given Assembly Ticket in 1951 by then Prime Minister Pt. Jawaharlal Nehru and Chief Minister Pt. Govind Ballabh Pant to contest Elections from Maant Constituency in Mathura. Won Election by Heavy Margin and represented the Constituency for more than 25 Years. Was inducted as Deputy Minister for Public Works Department by then Chief Minister Pt. Govind Ballabh Pant in 1954. The Open Air Jail system in Prisons of Uttar Pradesh was introduced by him during his Tenure as Jail Minister in 1957 in the Cabinet of Dr. Sampurnanand. Was Later made Cabinet Minister and handled important Portfolios like Revenue, Law, Transport, Social Welfare, Chairman of Public Accounts Committee etc. Presented the Budget of Uttar Pradesh in 1969 as Finance Minister of Uttar Pradesh in the Cabinet of Chandra Bhanu Gupta. Was sent to Mexico as ambassador to represent the country in international conference on developing countries and poverty alleviation in 1978 by then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi. Was later made Chairman of All India Khadi and Village Industries Commission, a position equivalent to the rank of union cabinet minister in 1982 by then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi. He played an important role in commissioning of Mathura Refinery on NH-2 which inaugurated by Prime Minister Indira Gandhi in 1982. Known one of the leading Senior Advocates of his time, he handled important political cases during times of emergency of likes of Sanjay Gandhi, Indira Gandhi and other national Leaders. Recently his statue was commissioned at District & Sessions Court, Mathura by Bar Council, Mathura commemorating his Birth Centenary Year 2014.
Achievements
His monumental achievements include establishment of Oil Refinery at Mathura in 1972, one among the largest oil refineries in Asia, which instantly changed the economic landscape of the district generating thousands of job opportunities and mushroom growth of ancillary industries in the region. Refinery was originally planned in Nanded district of Maharashtra, but with the efforts and advocacy of the project by Mr.Acharya before Madam Indira Gandhi, then Prime Minister, the project was diverted to Mathura.
He donated his Land to Government of Uttar Pradesh to establish 350 KW power stations at Mathura, in 1962, which was under the grip of severe power crises bringing relief to the local population in the city and farmers in particular boosting local industries and agricultural output of the district.
As Public Welfare Department Minister of U.P in 1954, he was assigned the herculean task of construction of motor-able roads in hilly tracks of Uttarakhand by then Chief Minister Pt. Govind Ballabh Pant, which he accomplished in scheduled frame work of time which was unanimously applauded by U.P legislature Assembly in their proceedings.
As Jail Minister of Uttar Pradesh he introduced a novel Entrepreneurship Development Programme for Jail inmates in U.P. Under the Project detainees were trained in different craftsmanship trades of their choice producing fine verities of artifacts earning wages during their detention period which was paid on their release at the end of their jail term aimed to rehabilitate them as an expert craftsmen to earn their lively hood decently in the society. Project became very successful and adopted by other states in the country.
During his tenure as Chairman of All India Khadi & Village Industries Commission, Govt. of India, he promoted various schemes and projects for the welfare of the BPL segment of the rural masses promoting a vast network of tiny and cottage industries in distance corners of the country. He also promoted schemes to encourage the export of khadi products producing gainful employment for weavers and artisans.
Death
He died on 4 January 1997 after inaugurating a function organized by a reputed social welfare organization at Lucknow.