Aditya Nath ministers get into action mode
after getting portfolios, Team Yogi follows in their leader’s footsteps
From surprise inspection of a police station by chief minister Aditya Nath Yogi to a minister cleaning his floor and another resolving a strike of a hospital’s contractual staffers, the first day of the Yogi government after allotment of portfolios was an eventful one.
The government kept the bureaucracy on its toes throughout the day reviewing major decisions taken in last 15 years, putting on hold the selection processes in higher and secondary education services commission, revamp of state’s education system, and hinting at an inquiry into the Lucknow-Agra Expressway project, and more.
Health minister Siddharth Nath Singh got in action mode from day one resolving a strike by contractual staff of Rani Laxmibai Memorial Hospital in Rajajipuram. The contractual employees were not getting their salaries for last eight months.
Minority affairs minister Mohsin Raza got angry finding the photos of SP patriarch Mulayam Singh Yadav and former minority affairs minister Azam Khan in his office and asked them to be removed. Another minister, Upendra Tiwari, 45, picked up a broom and went about cleaning the floor of his office to emphasise Yogi government’s focus on cleanliness.
Amid all this, chief minister Aditya Nath Yogi surprised everyone by visiting the Hazratganj police station. He stayed
THE GOVERNMENT KEPT THE BUREAUCRACY ON ITS TOES THROUGHOUT THE DAY REVIEWING MAJOR DECISIONS TAKEN IN LAST 15 YEARS
there for more than 20 minutes and asked policemen if all cases were being registered.
The CM also stressed on cleanliness, comfort (for victims) and a corruption-free environment.
Though the CM didn’t speak on the controversy on anti-Romeo squads, deputy chief minister Dinesh Sharma said no one would be harassed.
Cabinet minister Suresh Khanna hinted at an inquiry into some major projects of the previous government like the Lucknow-Agra Expressway suggesting that there was no harm in inquiry into projects that prima facie appeared suspicious.
The CM’s surprise visit also caught on with other ministers who carried out similar inspections in their departments or promised to do so. Deputy chief minister Keshav Prasad Maurya, 48, directed the officials of the public works department to prepare a list of 10 ‘bully contractors’ in the department. Maurya said he would continue to carry out surprise inspections in future. “The message is clear. This government won’t tolerate any nonsense. We will provide a transparent government,” Maurya said.
Education minister Dinesh Sharma held a video conference with senior superintendents of police asking them to ensure there is no mass copying the ongoing UP Board examinations. He also emphasised on cleanliness in schools and colleges. New transport minister Swatantra Dev Singh also took officials by surprise by visiting the Kaiserbagh bus station where he took stock of cleanliness and hygiene.
Dr Mahendra Singh, minister began his first day as minister with a puja in his office.
Agriculture minister Surya Pratap Shahi said his department was readying the blue print of loan waiver of small and marginal farmers – a pre-poll promise made by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.