PRAYAGRAJ, Sept. 7 -- Uttar Pradesh deputy chief minister Keshav Prasad Maurya on Sunday hit out at opposition parties while responding to questions about a video of a portion of the Ram Van Gaman Marg caving in at Shringverpur in Prayagraj that had gone viral on social media. "If a road is built, it may sink, and when it sinks, it will be built again," Maurya said. He added that heavy rains could damage infrastructure, pointing out that even large bridges in Nepal had collapsed following rainfall. However, he stressed that any instance of poor-quality construction would be investigated and action taken against those responsible. "If a road has caved in, it will be repaired," he said. On Samajwadi Party chief and former chief minister Akhilesh Yadav's allegation that 26,000 basic schools were being shut down in Uttar Pradesh, Maurya hit back, saying, "I can only say for him, "soup bole to bole, chalni na bole." (The pot calling the kettle black). He alleged that the education system had deteriorated during the previous SP government. Maurya said the BJP government was not closing any schools and was instead developing and revamping schools and Anganwadi centres. He claimed that dropout rates had declined and students were receiving quality mid-day meals, free textbooks, uniforms, shoes and socks. He also accused the SP of weakening the education system for political gains, recalling that an anti-copying ordinance introduced when Rajnath Singh was education minister during the Kalyan Singh government was withdrawn after the SP came to power. "Schools are improving and children studying in primary schools are also progressing," he said, adding that Yadav would have to wait until 2047 as "there is nothing for him in 2027". Farmers to get compensation after crop-loss survey On crop damage caused by floods in Prayagraj and other districts, Maurya said a survey was underway. He said the government had directed officials to ensure that compensation was paid to affected farmers without delay on the basis of reports submitted by the revenue department. On teachers' demand for restoration of the old pension scheme, Maurya said the government would consider their legitimate and reasonable demands. "The government is sensitive to the issues of teachers and students and whatever appropriate solution can be found will be worked out," he said. Opposition should not politicise mosque demolition: Maurya Reacting to the political controversy over the demolition of an alleged illegal mosque constructed on the Saharanpur collectorate premises, Maurya said the district administration and police had complied with the court's order. Responding to Congress MP Imran Masood's remarks on the issue, Maurya advised both the Congress and the SP not to politicise the matter. "The administration and police in Saharanpur have complied with the honourable court's order. The Congress and Samajwadi Party should not politicise this issue," he said....