Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath held an important review meeting on law and order at his official residence late on Tuesday night, with an eye on the big events coming up across Uttar Pradesh. The discussion ranged over the upcoming examinations, religious processions and preparations for International Yoga Day, and ended with a string of firm instructions for officials. Several of the directives issued through the Chief Minister's office touch ordinary citizens directly.
A Big Break for NEET Candidates
Roughly three and a half lakh candidates will sit the NEET examination on June 21, which is being held across 59 districts of the state. Offering them some relief, the Chief Minister announced that aspirants showing their admit card will get a 50 percent concession on fares in Uttar Pradesh State Road Transport Corporation buses. He added that candidates travelling to other districts for the exam who have no place to stay should be provided the necessary temporary residential facilities.
On the integrity of the exam, the Chief Minister asked for solid arrangements to maintain sanctity, transparency and sensitivity in line with NTA guidelines. He directed officials to keep a close watch on attempts to spread rumours, misleading or false information on social media and other channels, and to act swiftly and effectively in such cases.
Strict Line on Muharram, No New Tradition Allowed
Referring to incidents from past years, the Chief Minister said the unchecked use of ear-splitting DJs, dhol and taasha must be effectively curbed. He stated plainly that no kind of weapon should be displayed during Muharram processions. To prevent any mishap, he ordered that the height of tazias be kept within the fixed standards and that tazias taller than 10 to 12 feet not be permitted. The Chief Minister stressed that everyone's faith will be respected, but under no circumstances will anyone be allowed to create a new tradition.
Yoga Day Preparations and Directives
Reviewing International Yoga Day, the Chief Minister described yoga as a priceless heritage of Indian culture and the sage tradition, a powerful means of keeping both body and mind healthy. He said that the efforts of Prime Minister Narendra Modi have given yoga worldwide recognition, and that this year the day is being marked under the theme 'Yoga for Healthy Ageing'. He asked that the Prime Minister's programme be broadcast live across the entire state.
The Chief Minister directed that yoga programmes be held in all 58,000 gram panchayats and 762 urban bodies of the state, with active participation from public representatives. He asked for priority to be given to mass yoga at Amrit Sarovars as well as historical and cultural sites, and for venues to be identified in 14,000 wards across urban areas.
On June 20, the Urban Development, Rural Development and Panchayati Raj departments will run a special cleanliness drive with the help of educational institutions. Officials were told to keep security tight at venues, ensure regular police patrolling, and link all police lines and PAC battalions to the Yoga Day events.
The Chief Minister stressed active participation by voluntary organisations, health and wellness centres, religious and social bodies, yoga institutions, NCC, Scout and Guide and the volunteers of the National Service Scheme (NSS). He asked for wide-ranging events from the district, tehsil and development block headquarters down to the gram panchayat level, backed by an effective publicity drive to spread public awareness. Nodal officers are to be appointed in every district for the smooth running of the programmes, and the presence of a public representative or government representative is to be ensured at each event. Urging that yoga programmes also be held in industrial areas and police lines, the Chief Minister called it a broad campaign of public interest and public participation.
A Tough Stand on Public Grievances
Reviewing applications received on the CM Helpline, Janta Darshan and the IGRS portal, the Chief Minister said the disposal of grievances in some districts is not satisfactory. Such districts must improve their working immediately, or responsibility will be fixed. He also directed that in districts where no Chief Medical Officer is posted, a CMO must be deployed within the next three days, and that field postings be made strictly on merit.
Officials From Lucknow to the Districts Pulled In
The seriousness of this large meeting is clear from the fact that not just the police department but every department tied to essential civic services for the common public was summoned. In Lucknow, the Additional Chief Secretary (Home) and the Director General of Police of Uttar Pradesh were chiefly present on the stage alongside the Chief Minister. Joining directly through video conferencing were the ADGs, IGs and DIGs of all zones of the state, along with divisional commissioners, district magistrates, police commissioners and district police chiefs.
In addition, to ensure uninterrupted electricity, water and the repair of roads, senior officers from the Municipal Commissioner's office, CMO, PWD, Urban Development, Transport, Food, Panchayati Raj, Agriculture, Forest, Energy, Tourism, AYUSH and Education departments were also part of the review.
