For UP government, it is not cold enough in state for people to use blankets

LUCKNOW: If one were to believe the UP government, it is not cold enough in the state for people to use blankets.

Deputy CM Dinesh Sharma

informed the

vidhan parishad

on Thursday that "as soon as it's cold enough", the government will distribute blankets and firewood among the homeless.

"Cold is determined when the temperature falls below a certain degree. We have released funds to all local bodies and the concerned departments, and procurement is being done. In some places distribution of blankets and firewood has also been done. I assure the

House

that all material will be distributed before it gets cold," he said.

The minister further added that as per the Met department, February was likely to be much colder during this winter season.

The minister's statements sparked a furore in the House with the opposition asking the government whether distribution of blankets would start when winter is over. A member pointed out that Lucknow, in news for high levels of pollution, was witnessing large-scale burning of tyres, plastic and other waste material by people in an effort to stay warm. In places like

Saharanpur

and Bijnore in west UP, said another member, the temperature had fallen to 3 degrees Celsius.