LUCKNOW, Dec. 2 -- Finance Minister Suresh Khanna has reprimanded Lucknow Municipal Corporation (LMC) officials for negligence in the civic upkeep of the city. Khanna, who is also the in-charge minister of Lucknow district, noticed overflowing drains, garbage-strewn streets and dysfunctional streetlights during his inspection of Zone 8, which includes Transport Nagar, Aashiyana, Vrindavan, PGI and nearby areas, on Monday. He ordered a one-day salary deduction of three zone 8 officials for the lapses. At Kharika Ward I and II, Khanna found that drains were poorly maintained. He issued a strict warning to Lucknow Municipal Corporation (LMC) officials for failing to ensure routine cleaning and to step up the cleaning drive. Mayor Sushma Kharkwal, who accompanied him, also expressed displeasure over sanitation workers being absent from duty. Taking serious note of the lapses, Khanna ordered a one-day salary deduction of zonal officer Vikas Singh, zonal sanitary officer Jitendra Gandhi, and SFI Meera Rao. The Minister stated that sanitation is a top priority for the government, and strict action will continue to be taken against any official found negligent. In Ishwari Kheda under Ibrahimpur Ward II, Khanna found sanitation "highly unsatisfactory". He criticised officials for neglecting extended and peripheral areas and directed them to ensure equal service delivery across all neighbourhoods. At Chillawan Bazaar (Amausi) under Raja Bijli Pasi Ward I, Khanna observed malfunctioning streetlights and overflowing drains. He instructed immediate drain cleaning....