Yogi warns ministers against patronising corrupt officers
Chief minister asks ministers to focus on work instead of making unnecessary announcements
LUCKNOW : Chief minister Yogi Adityanath on Tuesday gave a subtle warning to his ministers against ‘patronising’ or giving plum postings to corrupt officers and asked them to focus on work instead of making unnecessary announcements.
Yogi’s warning came after his two-day visit to New Delhi where he met Prime Minister Narendra Modi, BJP president Amit Shah and other senior party leaders.
“Corrupt officers should not get plum postings. We are getting complaints of some corrupt officers being given good postings,” said the chief minister while addressing his council of ministers here.
Chief minister Yogi Adityanath on Tuesday gave a subtle warning to his ministers against ‘patronising’ or giving plum postings to corrupt officers and asked them to focus on work instead of making unnecessary announcements.
Yogi’s warning came after his two-day visit to New Delhi where he met Prime Minister Narendra Modi, BJP president Amit Shah and other senior party leaders.
“Corrupt officers should not get plum postings. We are getting complaints of some corrupt officers being given good postings,” said the chief minister while addressing his council of ministers here.
Yogi also referred to the decision for a special lane for VVIPs at toll plazas that was later withdrawn at his behest, and said ministers should refrain from taking such decisions that gave a bad name to his government.
Deputy chief minister Keshav Prasad Maurya holds the charge of Public Works Department (PWD) that had issued the controversial order.
Much significance is being attached to the meeting Yogi scheduled after he visited the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh office in Lucknow (a day before leaving for New Delhi) and meeting top party leaders in New Delhi in the past two days.
Yogi’s warning assumes significance as it comes in the backdrop of some BJP MPs and MLAs raising their voice over performance of some of ministers at various party forums.
Party leaders have accused ministers for patronizing corrupt officers and raised the issue of laxity in their own work.
Soon after reaching here on Tuesday evening, Yogi reached Lok Bhawan where his ministers had been waiting for some time.
Corrupt officers should not get plum postings. We are getting complaints of some corrupt officers being given good postings
He addressed them and later presided over a meeting of the state cabinet.
Yogi asked them to focus on their work instead of making unnecessary announcements.
He reminded them that his government had appointed two ministers -- Shrikant Sharma and Siddharthnath Singh -- as official spokesmen to ensure that they could concentrate on their work.
“Do your work and don’t make unnecessary announcements,” said Yogi. He asked ministers to go to the field and visit their constituencies.
“Be in Lucknow for two days in a week, pay a day’s visit to your constituency and spend three days in other districts every week,” said Yogi. He also asked ministers to take care of flood affected areas.
The chief minister’s warning also assumes significance in view Amit Shah’s three-day visit to the state from July 29. Besides meeting BJP’s office bearers and other senior leaders, Shah will meet Yogi and some of his ministers here.
Shah is likely to discuss with senior leaders the issue of identifying seats for Yogi and his ministerial colleagues, including two deputy chief minister -Dinesh Sharma and Maurya -who have to become members of either of the two houses of state legislature before September 19.
Yogi has maintained that the party leadership will take a decision on the issue.
Yogi and Maurya are members of Lok Sabha and their resignation would result in by-election to two parliament seats they represent now.
Amid indications that BSP chief Mayawati may step up campaign against the BJP in coming days, the party leadership is evaluating the option of Maurya’s continuation as Phoolpur MP and accommodate him as minister at the centre.
Meanwhile, senior party leaders discussed preparations for Shah’s visit to Lucknow.
YOGI ADITYANATH, CM