PM’s cleanliness mission can help in eradication of JE: Yogi

Chief minister Yogi Adityanath used his first Independence Day speech on Tuesday to suggest that the cure to diseases like Japanese Encephalitis (JE) lay in Modi government’s cleanliness mission.

Adityanath’s remarks came in the backdrop of the deaths of children at BRD Medical College in Gorakhpur – Yogi’s Lok Sabha constituency since 1998.

The CM also met children at his official residence and gave school bags to them after they impressed him by reciting poetry.

As many as 60 children have died so far this year in Gorakhpur with an unprecedented 23 infant deaths reported in 24 hours last week, triggering a political blame game.

Opposition leaders like former chief minister Akhilesh Yadav, who announced a compensation of Rs 2 lakh to kin of victims, claimed the deaths occurred due to disruption in oxygen supply but Adityanath flagged lack of cleanliness and hygiene among the reasons for the deaths.

“I have been experiencing the pain of vector-borne diseases like JE claiming the lives of children for nearly two decades now. The solution lies in adopting the Centre’s clean India mission. This is the reason why my government has allocated enough funds for it. The effort (to drive out JE) requires a collective push,” Adityanath said.

Earlier on Tuesday, Adityanath cancelled his proposed visit to Gorakhpur for Janmashtami celebrations at Gorakhnath Temple of which he is the head priest.

The cancellation came amid controversy over the government order that said Janmashtami celebrations that had been disrupted in the past would be revived and held in a “grand but dignified” manner.

Stating that a society cut off from its roots stood nowhere, Adityanath used the occasion to justify the religious initiatives his government was taking for Hindu religious cities.

“We are developing centres of religion and faith and planning the restoration of Ramleela in Ayodhya and Krishna Museum in Mathura. Ayodhya’s Ramayana circuit and Buddha circuit that covers cities associated with Buddha and Krishna circuit in Mathura are also a part of this initiative,” he said.